Prince Andrew is stripped of his royal titles while his trial for sexual abuse lasts

Prince Andrew, one of the sons of Queen Elizabeth II, was removed from his military ranks and patronage as a member of the British royal family, as investigations into the scandal over alleged sexual abuse of minors unfold. .

Through a statement published by the Buckingham Palace Twitter account, it is detailed that the measure has been taken “with the authorization and agreement of the queen.”

“The Duke of York will continue without performing any public function and defends himself in this case as a private citizen”, says the letter.

Andrés, 61 years old and third son of Elizabeth II, was accused by Virginia Guffrie of having raped her when she was 17 years old after being recruited by the sex trafficking network by the American tycoon Jeffrey Epstein, who committed suicide in 2019 in his cell of the New York Metropolitan Correctional Center.

Last Wednesday, a US court gave approval to advance the trial against the Duke of York for a sexual abuse lawsuit filed by Giuffre. In this way, he will have to face a civil trial later this year for sexual assault.

“It is unlikely that my client will accept a financial settlement because what she wants is to resolve this matter in a way that will serve to vindicate herself and the victims at the same time,” Guffrie’s lawyer, David Boies, told the BBC.

As detailed by El Mundo de España, the Duke of York will maintain his noble title for the time being, but he will not be able to use the treatment of “his royal highness” while the trial against him lasts.

The case of Andrés, considered by all as the “favorite son” of Elizabeth II, is one of the many scandals that damage the image of the British monarchy with which the 95-year-old sovereign has recently had to deal, says the agency AFP.

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