At the time, the late Queen declared: “My descendants other than descendants enjoying the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess and female descendants who marry and their descendants shall bear the name of Mountbatten-Windsor.”

The Duke of York No More

Earlier this month, it was announced that Andrew would also lose his Duke of York title, following the release of Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice by Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre first alleged in 2019 that she had been trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions while she was underage.

Although Andrew has consistently denied all allegations, Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit against him in 2021. The case was settled privately in 2022 for an undisclosed amount.

Giuffre’s Story and the Palace’s Response

Giuffre tragically took her own life earlier this year, but her memoir — released posthumously last week — details her alleged encounters with Andrew when she was just 17, offering disturbing insight into her experiences.

Despite the renewed attention, Buckingham Palace emphasized that Andrew continues to deny the claims, reiterating in its latest statement: “These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”

The Palace concluded by expressing support for abuse survivors, stating: “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”