King Charles III and Prince Andrew, Duke of York, have once again drawn public attention after the Duke confirmed that he will no longer use his royal titles. The decision, first reported by outlets including the BBC, Reuters, and The Guardian, comes amid continued scrutiny over Andrew’s past association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

According to several royal correspondents, the announcement followed a private discussion between King Charles and his younger brother — described as “firm but measured,” with the monarch focused on protecting the integrity of the Crown.

Prince Andrew Steps Back from His Titles

In a statement released through Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew said he had chosen to relinquish his royal titles and related honors after consulting with the King and other family members. He admitted that ongoing media attention surrounding his past associations had become a “distraction” from the Royal Family’s work.

The Duke, 64, reiterated that his “priority remains to serve his family and his country,” and once again denied the allegations linked to his friendship with Epstein. He has not faced any criminal charges, and his representatives continue to insist on his innocence.

King Charles’ Role in the Decision

Sources quoted by The Times and The Daily Mail suggest King Charles encouraged his brother to make the move voluntarily, viewing it as the best way to prevent further reputational harm to the monarchy. While details of their private conversation have not been revealed, insiders described it as both compassionate and decisive.