The Fall of Prince Andrew: From Royal Privilege to Sexual Abuse Allegations and Public Disgrace

Prince Andrew's enduring relationship with Jeffrey Epstein eventually became his undoing. (File)

London:

Previously regarded as Queen Elizabeth's most cherished son and celebrated as a distinguished young military officer, Britain's Prince Andrew will forever be remembered as the royal accused of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Andrew, aged 65, announced on Friday he would relinquish his Duke of York title following years of public criticism regarding his association with the deceased and disgraced American financier Jeffrey Epstein.

King Charles's brother faced accusations from Virginia Giuffre of sexual abuse when she was underage at properties belonging to Epstein or his associates. In February 2022, he made an undisclosed financial settlement to resolve a US lawsuit.

Although admitting no culpability, Andrew—who had already withdrawn from royal duties due to his Epstein connections and after a catastrophic BBC interview intended to clear his name—was stripped of his military affiliations, royal patronages, and "His Royal Highness" designation.

"I've never been much of a partygoer," he told the BBC. "I remained single for quite some time in the early 80s, but after marriage I was content and never really felt compelled to socialize extensively, and visiting Jeffrey's residence certainly wasn't about partying."

Increasingly unpopular with the public, the royal family distanced themselves from him, viewing him as a source of embarrassment potentially causing lasting institutional damage.

Only his late mother appeared to maintain her affection, allowing him to accompany her at a memorial service for Prince Philip in March 2022.

His subsequent public appearances were limited to major family events such as the queen's funeral later that year and his brother's coronation in 2023.

Earlier in his career, Andrew served 22 years in the navy and was appointed the United Kingdom's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment in 2001, a position he held until criticism over his Epstein connections forced him to step down.

Before his downfall, Andrew was primarily known for his 1986 marriage to the vivacious, red-haired Sarah Ferguson, nicknamed "Fergie" by the press.

They separated in 1992, shortly after he transitioned to a desk position at the Ministry of Defence to spend more time at home. That year brought numerous challenges and scandals for the royal family, which the queen described as an "annus horribilis".

Andrew reportedly struggled with the separation from his wife, who characterized him as a gentle person deserving of love.

The couple had two daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie. Despite their 1996 divorce, the family maintained close relations, vacationing together and sharing a residence.

Following his military career, Andrew's personal life continued making headlines. Tabloids connected him to various women, from swimwear models to entrepreneurs. Photos emerged showing Andrew on yachts or sunbathing surrounded by topless women. The press dubbed him "Air Miles Andy" for his jet-setting lifestyle.

However, his extended friendship with Epstein, imprisoned in 2008 for child sex offenses, began to overshadow everything else. He was compelled to resign from his trade ambassador role in 2011, and Giuffre filed allegations against him in 2015.

Critics viewed his downfall as the consequence of arrogance and entitlement. A former royal protection officer revealed in an ITV documentary that Andrew would become irate if the teddy bears on his bed were repositioned.

As his reputation deteriorated, Andrew focused on an initiative called "Pitch@Palace," designed to leverage his royal influence to connect young tech entrepreneurs with partners and investors.

However, his royal standing collapsed following a disastrous BBC interview attempting to refute Giuffre's account of meeting him sweating and dancing at a London nightclub before sexual relations.

He faced ridicule for claiming he visited Epstein in New York to end their association, for stating Giuffre's story was false because he was at a pizza restaurant celebrating his daughter's birthday that evening, and for asserting he was physically unable to sweat.

He was also criticized for failing to express sympathy for Epstein's alleged victims and for not expressing regret about his friendship with the financier.

"I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein," he stated later when resigning from official royal duties. But this acknowledgment came too late to salvage his reputation.