Prince Andrew has announced that he will ‘no longer use’ his royal title amid calls to strip him of his HRH status, with Prince Louis said to be the next in line to take on the honours
Prince Andrew was “reluctant” to relinquish his Royal title and become a “commoner”, according to a Royal author. In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on Friday evening, the 65 year old revealed that he will no longer use his “title or the honours which have been conferred upon me”.
He disclosed that after close discussions with King Charles, in which Prince William is also believed to have played a significant role, he has decided to “put my duty to my family and country first.”
The Duke of York also referred back to 2019 when he was compelled to “stand back from public life” following his calamitous interview with Emily Maitlis for BBC Newsnight. Prince Andrew has consistently denied the allegations against him.
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Nigel Cawthorne, author of ‘Prince Andrew, Epstein and the Palace’, expressed his belief that the Royal was “reluctant” to give up his title, reports the Express.
Cawthorne stated: “It is only when new revelations cast a search beam on Prince Andrew’s previous statements that the prince appears to make another act of contrition. It makes the act look both reluctant and too little too late.”
Regarding what the future holds for Andrew, Cawthorne added: “Will doors no longer open before him at Buckingham Palace? Why did he not simply become a commoner and adopt the family name Windsor-Mountbatten.”
The surname ‘Mountbatten-Windsor’ merges the British Royal Family’s House name of Windsor with Prince Philip’s adopted surname of Mountbatten.
In his statement, Andrew also referred to the allegations made by his late accuser, Virginia Giuffre, stating: “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me”.
Despite previous speculation that Prince Louis might one day assume the title of Duke of York, Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams suggests that the York title may never be used again. Speaking to the Express, Mr Fitzwilliams expressed that it is “highly unlikely” that the York title will be used again.
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