Prince Andrew relinquishes royal titles as Epstein ties scrutinized

Prince Andrew has relinquished the use of his royal titles and faces mounting scrutiny over his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, new email disclosures and the terms of his Windsor lease, officials and parliamentary figures said, intensifying calls for legal and parliamentary action. The developments come as the Metropolitan Police review allegations that in 2011 the prince passed personal details of his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, to a taxpayer funded protection officer and asked for inquiries to be made.

In a palace statement issued after discussions with the King and immediate family, Prince Andrew said, "I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me." He has also said he "vigorously deny[s] the accusations against me." Giuffre, who accused Andrew of sexual assault and had sued him, died by suicide in April; the pair settled a civil claim in 2022 for an undisclosed sum.

Police said they are actively looking into the claims that the prince sought to use his protection officer to check Giuffre's background. It was not clear whether...