A statement from Prince Andrew from the Royal Family said, "In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life."
"With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me," he added.
According to NBC News, his wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also lose her title as the Dutchess of York. Epstein abuse survivor Virginia Giuffre accused Adrew of sexually abusing her when she was 17 years old. She died by suicide in April at 41.
The statement from Andrew comes after some media outlets reported on an email allegedly sent from Adnrew to Epstein in 2011 after a photo was made public with Andrew's arm around Giuffre. The email read, "We are in this together," the newspapers reported. "Play some more soon."
Andrew had said that he cut off all communications with Epstein in 2010. However, an email from Ferguson to Epstein in 2011 came to light saying that the disgraced financier was a "supreme friend" just weeks before she publicly distanced herself from Epstein.
