Other little-known titles Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson lost | Royal | News

Prince Andrew announced on Friday that he would relinquish his remaining royal titles and honors along with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who will no longer be known as the Duchess of York. The couple, who officially divorced in 1996, lost their York title as well as other, lesser-known titles due to the latest crisis that hit the family.

The decision on her title comes after her relationship with convicted pedophile sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and her relationship with an alleged Chinese spy returned to the headlines. Sarah has also recently come under fire following new revelations about an email she sent to Epstein after he was released from prison for child sex crimes in 2011.

The former couple will also lose their titles of Earl and Countess of Inverness and Baron and Baroness Killyleagh.

Speaking about the title of Baron Killyleagh, Jim Lindsay, chairman of the Killyleagh Development Association, said he “probably should have given up the title of Baron Killyleagh a long time ago.”

Andrew was previously given this title by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. It was given by Elizabeth on the day she married Sarah in 1986.

Andrew’s statement read: “In discussions with the King and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded that the ongoing allegations against me are a distraction from the work of Her Majesty and the Royal Family.

“As always, I decided to put my duty to my family and my country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stay away from public life.”

He added: “With His Majesty’s approval, we think I must now go one step further. Therefore, I will no longer use my title or the honors bestowed upon me.”

Noting the claims made against his by the late Virginia Giuffre, he added: “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”

Currently, Prince Andrew and Sarah are still set to stay at the Royal Lodge amid the recent scandal and the decision regarding their titles.