Prince Andrew has announced that he will no longer use his royal titles or honors, saying ongoing allegations surrounding him have become a distraction from the work of King Charles and the royal family.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Oct. 17, the 65-year-old said, “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.”

He added, “With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. 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.”

Removing his titles would formally require an act of parliament.

Impact on Family Members

Andrew’s former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also discontinue the use of her Duchess of York title and will be known simply as Sarah Ferguson in all aspects of her life.

Despite these changes, the former couple will remain at Royal Lodge on the Windsor Castle estate, where Prince Andrew has a private tenancy with The Crown Estate. It is also understood that Prince Andrew will not take part in the royal family’s Christmas celebrations this year.

Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their titles and are not affected by the decision.

Prince Andrew, styled “His Royal Highness” from birth, was granted the titles Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh by Queen Elizabeth upon his marriage to Sarah Ferguson in 1986. The title Duke of York is historically reserved for the monarch’s second son and has deep roots in royal tradition dating back to 1474.

Among his highest honors, Andrew is a knight of the Order of the Garter, though he has not participated in public ceremonies associated with the order in recent years.