BRITAIN’S PRINCE ANDREW ABRUPTLY RELINQUISHES MORE ROYAL TITLES

By Staff Writer

In a development that has sent tongues wagging throughout all levels of British society, Prince Andrew has announced that he will be giving up more of his royal titles.

However, while he is expected to retain the title of Prince, there’s increasing speculation that he might be under pressure to relinquish that as well.

The Prince, who according to royal protocol is eighth in line to the throne, has been at the centre of several controversies. The most recent and potentially most damaging are allegations of sexual impropriety made against him by the deceased American Virginia Giuffre.

Ms Giuffre took her own life earlier this year. Now, a book she had written which is being posthumously released this month, is said to contain further potentially damaging details about their alleged relationship.

The Prince had previously made an out-of-court settlement of millions of dollars to her but has vehemently denied the allegations she had made against him.

That was also linked to his friendship with the late disgraced high-profile American financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Prince Andrew had already stepped back from public life after he was stripped of the title His Royal Highness by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II over that matter..

In the unexpected statement on Friday, released via Buckingham Palace, he said he was now handing in all the remaining titles, including that of Duke of York.

His decision is being linked to the upcoming publication of the book by the late Ms Giuffre.

Prince Andrew has maintained his innocence in the new statement, which has been the subject of detailed and ongoing media and public scrutiny and comment.

There are now reports of a police investigation surrounding allegations of a planned smear campaign against Ms Giuffre possibly involving Prince Andrew and members of the London Metropolitan Police.