Prince Andrew is speculated to consider a voluntary exile overseas following the loss of all his royal titles and honors, according to his biographer. The brother of King Charles expressed that the ongoing accusations against him, which he has consistently denied, divert attention from the monarch and the wider Royal Family. Prince Andrew withdrew from public life in 2019 following a controversial Newsnight interview where he expressed no regret over his association with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Subsequently, he relinquished his HRH style and military patronages under Queen Elizabeth II’s orders. However, the recent decision to strip him of the title Duke of York marks a significant escalation.
Renowned royal biographer Nigel Cawthorne, known for works such as “Prince Andrew: Epstein, Maxwell and the Palace” and “War of the Windsors,” opines that Andrew’s sole viable choice now is self-imposed exile due to his perceived unwelcomeness at home. Cawthorne emphasized that even Andrew’s own family appears reluctant to associate with him, leaving him with no alternative but to seek refuge in a foreign country for a tranquil existence. Andrew’s statement, issued through Buckingham Palace, mentioned that discussions with the King and his family led to the decision to distance himself from the ongoing accusations in order to prioritize the monarchy’s duties.
While relinquishing the title Duke of York, Prince Andrew retains his prince status by birthright and remains eighth in line to the throne, with no impact on his daughters’ titles. On the other hand, his former wife Sarah Ferguson will revert to her maiden name, losing her royal divorcee title. Furthermore, Andrew will no longer participate in royal events like the Christmas gathering at Sandringham or the annual Garter service, indicating a further isolation from the royal circle.
Amid these changes, speculations arise on potential refuges for Andrew, including his daughter Princess Eugenie’s villa in Portugal. The biographer anticipates increasing pressure on Scotland Yard to investigate Andrew’s connections to Epstein following recent legal developments in the United States. A fresh probe in America and pending legislation to disclose FBI investigation files on Epstein could further complicate Andrew’s legal situation.
The latest developments seem to push Prince Andrew into a more secluded existence within the royal family, distancing him from public appearances alongside other senior royals. Despite these challenges, the biographer suggests that Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, may continue to support him.
