Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson to Give Up Royal Titles Amid Epstein Scandals and "Huge Pressure" From King Charles

The pair will no longer be known as the Duke and Duchess of York.

Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew wearing black clothing at the Duchess of Kent's funeral
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Prince Andrew has faced public pressure to give up his various titles—including the Duke of York—after his association with Jeffrey Epstein became public. But after the recent email scandals involving Andrew, Sarah Ferguson and the convicted sex offender came to light, it seems Andrew is finally giving in. As reported exclusively by the Telegraph on October 17, Prince Andrew "is set to give up all of his titles, including the Duke of York."

According to the publication, the prince will put his titles "in abeyance" after King Charles put "huge pressure" on his brother to do so. While Andrew, as son of Queen Elizabeth, will always be a prince, he will no longer be a member of the Order of the Garter.

His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who was given the title of Duchess of York upon their marriage, "will also relinquish her title and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson."

A statement from Prince Andrew reads, "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."

Sarah Ferguson wearing a white jacket and black skirt and waving, walking behind Prince Andrew along a fence and trees

Ferguson and Prince Andrew are seen during the 2025 Easter service at Windsor Castle.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

"With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further," Andrew added. "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."

In September, a 2011 email Ferguson sent to Epstein was released, reading, "I know you feel hellaciously let down by me from what you were either told or read and I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that." The message was sent after she publicly denounced the sex offender and claimed that she would no longer have any contact with him.

Calling Epstein a "supreme friend," she added, "I was instructed to act with the utmost speed if I would have any chance of holding on to my career as a children’s book author and a children’s philanthropist."

Prince Andrew, King Charles and Prince William in suits at the Duchess of Kent's funeral

Prince Andrew is seen with King Charles and Prince William at the September 2025 funeral of the Duchess of Kent.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Earlier this week, an email from Prince Andrew to Epstein was revealed—and it was sent a day after the photo of Andrew with his arm around Virginia Giuffre was published in 2011. "I'm just as concerned for you! Don't worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it," he wrote (via People).

"Otherwise, keep in close touch, and we'll play some more soon!!!!" Andrew added.

Kristin Contino
Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.