Prince Andrew will lose his military affiliations and royal titles as he faces the prospect of a sexual assault civil trial in the United States, Buckingham Palace confirmed Thursday.
Victoria Giuffre has accused the British prince of sexual assault when she was 17, claims Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied. A New York judge on Wednesday dismissed a bid by the queen’s second son to have the case thrown out.
Giuffre has said she was the victim of sex trafficking and abuse by Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire financier who was found dead by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019.
In a statement issued Thursday, Buckingham Palace said: “With the Queen’s approval and agreement, the Duke of York’s military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.”
The palace added: “The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”
Both ITV News and the Guardian, citing royal sources, reported that the prince will no longer use “His Royal Highness” in any official capacity following the move.
The prince’s lawyers have argued that the case should be dismissed, citing a settlement Giuffre struck in 2009 with Epstein. Prince Andrew told the BBC in 2019 that he had no recollection of having met Giuffre.
Ali Walker contributed reporting.
