LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 16: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York attend Katharine, Duchess of Kent's Requiem Mass service at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025 in London, England. Katharine, Duchess of Kent was married to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. She died on September 4 at the age of 92 at Kensington Palace surrounded by her family. Having converted to Catholicism in 1994, her funeral takes place at Westminster Cathedral and is the first Catholic funeral to be held for a member of the royal family in modern British history. Her Royal Highness will be laid to rest at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Prince Andrew has officially relinquished all of his royal titles and honours amid ongoing scrutiny related to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. This decision, made in consultation with King Charles III and the royal family, marks a significant moment for both Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who has publicly expressed her continued support for him despite the implications for her own status.
Ferguson, who will now be known simply as Sarah Ferguson, stands by Andrew after their enduring friendship post-divorce. The couple, married in 1986 and divorced in 1996, continues to share a residence at the Royal Lodge on the grounds of Windsor Castle. A friend of Ferguson stated, “Sarah will always stand by Andrew; she will always have love for him,” adding that losing her title as Duchess of York is not a matter of concern for her.
While Andrew will retain the title of “Prince,” he has agreed to step back from public life entirely. He stated, “The continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.” Andrew’s decision comes after a long-standing fallout from his ties to Epstein and the allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was sexually assaulted by him when she was 17. Although Andrew denied these allegations, he reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre reported to be around $AU24 million.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Andrew acknowledged the need for further action to protect the royal family’s reputation. The decision to step down follows his withdrawal from royal duties in 2019 after a high-profile interview where he faced intense criticism regarding his relationship with Epstein, the convicted sex offender.
Despite these developments, the couple’s daughters, Princess Beatrice, aged 37, and Princess Eugenie, aged 35, will retain their royal titles and positions in the line of succession. This arrangement reflects the royal family’s efforts to maintain stability for the next generation amidst ongoing controversies.
Tensions have remained palpable between Andrew and the senior royals, with reports indicating that he and Ferguson were once again excluded from the family’s Christmas celebrations this year. Sarah Ferguson’s association with the Epstein scandal has also led to challenges in her public life. She lost several charity patronages, including that of Julia’s House Children’s Hospice, after revelations surfaced about her past correspondence with Epstein.
In a 2011 email, Ferguson apologised to Epstein for publicly disavowing him, leading to widespread criticism. The correspondence included her expressing vulnerability, stating, “Sometimes the heart speaks better than the words. You have my heart. With lots of love, dear Jeffrey.” While Ferguson later described her dealings with Epstein as “a gigantic error of judgment,” her spokesperson clarified that the email was sent under legal pressure following threats of defamation from Epstein.
Ferguson has publicly distanced herself from Epstein, condemning paedophilia and expressing regret for any association with him. This turmoil has underscored the challenges both she and Andrew face as they navigate their personal and public lives amidst the scrutiny surrounding their past.
