“It’s like I’ve gotten out of my own way,” she said. “I’ve really become Sarah. The Duchess is there. Good old Fergie’s there too. But Sarah is authentically present.”
Prince Andrew’s Statement
On Oct. 17, Prince Andrew said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace, “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.”
Although he will no longer use his titles, Andrew will remain a prince by birth, as a son of Queen Elizabeth, under the Letters Patent established by King George V in 1917 and updated in 2012.
Context Behind the Decision
The announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny over Prince Andrew’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in custody in 2019. Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 following a widely discussed BBC interview addressing his association with Epstein.
While the decision marks a major change for both Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, it will not impact their daughters. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will retain their royal titles and positions in the line of succession.
