Prince Andrew gives up all titles including Duke of York after discussion with King Charles: Live updates

The royal has faced fresh scandals in recent days, including meeting at least three times with a senior Beijing official at the center of the Chinese spy scandal, according to reports.

Widely claimed to be the late Queen’s “favorite” child, Prince Andrew has fallen sharply over the last decade.

The latest blow, which has been mired in a series of controversies, has led to new messages between the Duke and Jeffrey Epstein coming to light; These messages were sent months after Andrew claimed he had cut ties with the disgraced financier.

Emails between Andrew and Epstein handed over to a London court reportedly show they were still exchanging messages at least as late as February 2011, when the duke wrote: “Stay in close contact, we’ll play some more soon.”

Andrew will retain the duchy, which can only be removed by Act of Parliament but cannot use it.

He will also relinquish his knighthood as a Grand Knight’s Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and his role as Garter as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Andrew has ceased to use his remaining titles and honors, including Duke of York, but will remain a prince.

As the son of the late Queen Elizabeth, he is 8th in line to the throne.

The king’s brother will retain the dukedom, which can only be abolished by Act of Parliament, but will not use the title.

He will also relinquish his knighthood as a Grand Knight’s Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and his role as Garter as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Both honors will continue to exist but will not be used.

Prince Andrew was finally forced to renounce all his remaining titles, including Duke of York, after the damaging scandal continued for another week under pressure from his older brother King Charles.

The prince reinstates his HRH title and any remaining honors he held despite being stripped of public duties by the late queen.

Alastair Jamieson and Bryony Gooch report:

Robert Hardman, who wrote a biography of King Charles, said that it was not Prince Andrew’s choice to give up his titles due to various scandals.

He told BBC News: “Things don’t just work out.

“I think the palace has decided that there really needs to be more separation, and Prince Andrew has agreed to that.

“He wants to appear to be proactive and try to get some dignity out of it.”

Mr Hardman added that Andrew had not been stripped of those titles, although he would not be using them.

The decision to stop using Prince Andrew’s titles was made in conjunction with King Charles, who was said to be “delighted” with the announcement.

“This decision was basically taken with the King – yes, it was the prince’s decision but there had to be very close consultation with the King and we understand the King is pleased with this outcome,” Sky News’ Royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills said on Friday.

Prince Andrew has long been under pressure for his relationship with pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and his sex-trafficker girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

Here’s the timeline of how this friendship led to the prince’s embarrassment and downfall.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, will give up her title following her announcement.

The changes are expected to take effect immediately.

However, the former couple’s daughters will continue to use the title of Princess.

According to Sky News, Prince Andrew will continue to reside at Royal Lodge, his 30-room Windsor mansion.

The Royal is under pressure to give up the house, for which it has an exclusive long-term lease with the Crown Estate.

He shares the property with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.