Britain's Prince Andrew is relinquishing his remaining royal titles in the wake of the Epstein scandal. The resignation comes shortly before the release of a victim's memoir, which alleges allegations against Andrew.

British Prince Andrew, who suffered a profound fall from grace in the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein scandal, is also relinquishing his remaining royal titles and duties. The 65-year-old announced this in a statement released by the palace.

In discussions with King Charles III and his family, they jointly concluded that"the ongoing allegations against me are a distraction from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family," Andrew said. He will no longer use his title and the honors bestowed upon him.

Already largely withdrawn from public life

Prince Andrew had previously fallen into disgrace due to his closeness to Epstein. US billionaire Epstein was found dead in his prison cell in 2019. The investment banker was accused of abusing numerous girls and young women and supplying them to celebrities – including Andrew.

The younger brother of King Charles III had largely withdrawn from public life years ago in the wake of the Epstein scandal. He had already lost his role as an official representative of the royal family, his military ranks, and his patronages.

With this statement, Andrew—Queen Elizabeth II's second-oldest son—preempts further speculation and a potentially even greater humiliation: the revocation of his honors by the King himself. In a few days, on October 21, the memoirs of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, arguably the most well-known victim in the abuse scandal, will be published. She had accused the prince of abusing her as a minor. Giuffre took her own life in April.

"As I have stated before, I firmly deny the allegations made against me," Andrew said. The scandal has plagued the royal family for years. The 65-year-old remains a prince, a title he has held since birth. His two daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, remain princesses.