Prince Andrew has been stripped of his remaining royal titles and honours, Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement on Friday night — a move seen as the final step in distancing the monarchy from the scandal-plagued royal.
The 65-year-old Duke said he reached the decision “in discussion with the King and my wider family,” adding that the ongoing accusations against him had become a “distraction” from the Royal Family’s work.
Although he will remain a Prince by birth, Andrew will no longer use any of his formal titles or honours publicly.
Among the key titles lost are: Duke of York, granted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986 upon his marriage to Sarah Ferguson; Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, also bestowed that same year; and Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO).
He will also no longer act as a Counsellor of State, a role reserved for senior working royals.
While the titles technically remain extant, they will remain “in abeyance,” similar to his HRH style, which was suspended in 2019.
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