One day after a judge rejectedPrince Andrew’s attempt to have asexual assault lawsuit against him thrown out, Buckingham Palace released a statement regarding Andrew’s royal status.
“With The Queen’s approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen,” the palace announced on Thursday.
“The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen,” the statement continued.
The decision was “widely discussed” within the senior ranks of the royal family, a royal source confirms to PEOPLE — likely meaning talks betweenQueen Elizabeth,Prince CharlesandPrince William.
Prince Andrew, 61, will likely retain his title as the Duke of York and keep his place in the line of succession to the throne, which is currently ninth behindPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s two children. However, he will no longer use the style “His Royal Highness” in any official capacity.
Prince Andrew.Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Prince Andrew’s attorneys argued last week to dismissVirginia Roberts Giuffre’s sexual assault lawsuit after it was revealed that convicted sex offenderJeffrey Epsteinreached a $500,000 settlement with Giuffre, in which she agreed not to sue any other “potential defendant.”
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Andrew.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Andrew announced in Nov. 2019 that he would “step back from public dutiesfor the foreseeable future” following hisbombshell interview with the BBCabout his ties to Epstein.
“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support,” he said in the statement. “Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”
Prince Andrew; Virginia Roberts Giuffre.Alexander Koerner/Getty; Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty
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Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York refused to grant the royal’s motion to dismiss on Wednesday, meaningQueen Elizabeth’s son could face a trial date between September and December 2022, according toCNN.
source: people.com
