Andrew Steps Down, But Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie Keep Their Royal Standing

Prince Andrew has relinquished his Duke of York peerage following a recent controversy — raising questions about whether this decision impacts the royal standing of his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

According to a report by People on Friday, October 17, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, are set to retain their titles and royal roles, with the publication clarifying that Andrew's choice to give up his peerages has no bearing on their positions within the monarchy.

Us Weekly contacted the royal household seeking a statement.

Born as the elder daughter of Andrew, 65, and his then-spouse, Sarah Ferguson (who then held the styles “The Duke and Duchess of York”), Beatrice was conferred the designation “Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York.” (Andrew and Ferguson, 66, ended their marriage in 1996 after a decade together.)

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Following Beatrice's marriage to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020, the "York" appendage was removed from her designation. Her current style is “Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.”

Eugenie’s designation mirrored that of her elder sister. She was born “Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York,” and after her wedding to Jack Brooksbank in 2018, she adopted the style “Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank.”

Both Beatrice and Eugenie serve as active members of the Royal Family — a status they share with their cousin, Prince William, who stands as the next heir to the throne, following his father, King Charles III.

As reported by Hello!, the princesses will maintain their designations as nieces of the monarch, 76, and secure their positions in the succession line. Beatrice holds the ninth spot, after Andrew, while Eugenie is twelfth.

On Friday, Andrew, who is Charles's younger sibling, declared he would cease to hold his Duke of York peerage, as his historical association with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein remains a prominent news topic.

“Following conversations with The King, as well as my immediate and extended family, we've determined that the ongoing allegations concerning me divert attention from the duties of His Majesty and the Royal Family,” Andrew stated in a message to Us. “I have opted, as has always been my principle, to prioritize my responsibilities to my family and nation. I uphold the choice I made half a decade ago to withdraw from public engagement.”

He further commented: “With His Majesty’s consent, it is felt that I should now take an additional measure. Consequently, I will no longer employ my title or the accolades bestowed upon me. As I have stated before, I adamantly refute the accusations made against me.”

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This announcement emerged amidst Andrew's enduring struggle with his former ties to Epstein. In 2019, the late Virginia Giuffre leveled sexual assault allegations against Andrew. She asserted that Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, arranged a sexual meeting for them at one of Epstein’s residences when Giuffre was 17 years old.

Andrew has consistently rejected these claims and maintained he had no association with Giuffre.

Following the controversy, Andrew declared in November 2019 his intention to withdraw from his official royal engagements.

“It has grown evident to me over recent days that the situation surrounding my previous acquaintance with Jeffrey Epstein has significantly impeded my family’s endeavors and the important efforts of numerous organizations and charities I am honored to back,” he stated at that juncture. “Consequently, I have requested Her Majesty [Queen Elizabeth II] for permission to withdraw from public functions indefinitely, and she has granted it.”

Nevertheless, Andrew stayed in the public eye after Giuffre filed a lawsuit against him in 2021 alleging sexual abuse. The two ultimately reached an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed sum. Giuffre passed away by suicide in April at the age of 41.

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Epstein, conversely, faced federal charges for sex trafficking minors and was apprehended in July 2019. He took his own life one month thereafter, at 66 years old, while incarcerated at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York.

Maxwell, in turn, was convicted of child sex trafficking offenses in 2021 and received a 20-year prison sentence in 2022.

Andrew's name was reconnected to Epstein recently this month, following the reappearance of an alleged email correspondence between them from 2011. Several publications asserted that after this email circulated, friction between Andrew and Charles intensified leading up to the relinquishment of the title.