Prince Andrew quits royal duties "for the foreseeable future"
Prince Andrew has announced that he is stepping down from his royal duties for the “foreseeable future” amidst anger over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
“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 a statement issued by Buckingham Palace.
“Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.
“I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.
“I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives.
“Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”
The Duke of York’s decision to no longer perform public duties as a member of the royal family means that this takes him out of the spotlight, and it’s been suggested that he’s hoping that it helps dampen the anger over his links with Epstein.
In the statement was a bombshell detail of the Duke of York publicly expressing regret over his relationship with Epstein as well as expressing sympathy for Epstein’s victims.
This was something that was not expressed in the hour-long interview with the BBC’s Newsnight interview that sparked outrage, as Prince Andrew said he did not regret his friendship with Epstein as well as not expressing any sympathy for Epstein’s victims.
BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph said that this current statement from Prince Andrew is “completely different in tone” and “addressed all the issues that he’d been criticised for”.
"I can't state enough that this statement is completely unprecedented - for a royal to step down, because of a scandal, in this way," she added.
The fallout over this scandal continues as several businesses and charities have pulled their support from Prince Andrew’s royal work.
The FBI is continuing their investigation into Epstein and his associates and it still remains to be seen as to whether or not Prince Andrew will be called in to testify.
Prince Andrew continues to aggressively deny allegations that he sexually abused girls while visiting his then-friend Epstein at his various properties around the world.