Prince Andrew’s ties withJeffrey Epsteinresurfaced when he wasnamed in court filingsthat were unsealed Wednesday night. However, it’s unlikely thatKing Charleswill take away his brother’s royal titles in light of the new information. In fact, removing titles is not in the monarch’s power.
“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support,” he said in the statement. “Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”
“I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure. I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required."
An out-of-courtsettlementfor an undisclosed amount was reached in February 2022.
Prince Andrew attends the coronation on May 6, 2023.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
Despite stepping back from public duties and losing his military affiliations, Prince Andrew retained his title as the Duke of York and kept his place in theline of succession to the throne, which is currently eighth behindPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s two children. However, he would no longer use the style “His Royal Highness” in any official capacity.
Prince Andrew has also continued to attend family events. Most recently. hejoined the royal family during their annual Christmas Day outingto church.
It’s unlikely that King Charles, 75, would attempt to remove Prince Andrew’s royal status or titles, as their mother did not take that step. ButGert’s Royalsreports that the King doesn’t have the power to remove the royal titles.
“Parliament can remove titles. But they will find it difficult in this case. The legislative branch (Parliament) or executive branch (Honors Forfeiture Committee) don’t have the powers to decide if someone is guilty of a crime,” the blog said on X. It is the judicial branch (Courts)’s job to determine if someone is guilty. And then other branches can act on that decision. And since there have never been any charges or conviction against Prince Andrew, in the eyes of the U.K. government, he is innocent."
There is currently abillthat would enable a monarch to have the power to remove titles, but it would have to go through several steps to be enacted.
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Prince Andrew and Prince Harry in Sept. 2022.Neil Mockford/WireImage
Although Parliament hasn’t hinted that they plan to remove Prince Andrew’s titles, his step back from royal life has been a topic of conversation that promoted some changes. Prince Andrew — as well as Prince Harry, who relocated to California in 2020 after stepping back from his senior royal role — was one of King Charles' four Counsellors of State, royals who can stand in for the monarch on official duties if he is abroad or unwell. Drawn from the monarch’s spouse and the first four people in the line of succession to the throne who are over the age of 21, those wereQueen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Andrew’s eldest daughter,Princess Beatrice.
British Parliament decidedto makePrincess AnneandPrince Edwardadditional Counsellors of State in Dec. 2022. The legislation was “fast-tracked” through both houses to avoid the potential for “an awkward constitutional problem” involving Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, theBBCreported.
source: people.com
