On Friday, news broke that Prince Andrew has been stripped of all his royal titles — a move that has been a long time coming, considering his ties to the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal. This means that he’s no longer the Duke of York, and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will lose her title, too. But despite everything the former couple has been through, royal insiders are claiming that she’s planning to “stand by” him during this difficult (and very public) ordeal.
Andrew announced the news in a statement on October 17.
Prince Andrew released a statement via Buckingham Palace on Friday, announcing that he will no longer use his title and will continue to avoid public life.
“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,” the statement said, via People. “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.”
Despite the fact that he said he and King Charles agreed that he will “no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me,” Andrew added, “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
This news brings a lot of changes for Andrew — and for his ex-wife.
Since Andrew will no longer be the Duke of York, this means that Sarah — who Andrew split from in 1996 — will no longer be known as the Duchess of York, either.
People has also reported that while Andrew and Sarah will continue to live at the Royal Lodge on Windsor Castle property, since he has a separate agreement with the Crown Estate as a private tenant, rather than a royal, they will not be present at royal Christmas celebrations this year.
Their daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, will continue to hold their titles, though.
A source claims he still has Sarah’s support.
Speaking with Page Six, an insider said that Andrew will reportedly have Sarah’s continued support.
“Sarah will always stand by Andrew, she will always have love for him,” the source said. “Sarah is relaxed … it’s always been a courtesy title.”
The news comes with new allegations against Andrew.
After Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre died by suicide in April, her posthumous memoir, Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, will be released on Tuesday, October 21, and in the book, she makes new accusations towards Andrew, according to Page Six.
“He was friendly enough, but still entitled — as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright,” she wrote.
