Labour MP for New York Central, Rachael Maskell, has called on Prince Andrew to drop his Duke of York title.  She stated that the prince title was causing deep hurt and embarrassment to the people of York and tarnishing the city’s international reputation.

According to Rachael Maskell, “Although it is a relief that Prince Andrew has finally acknowledged and expressed regret for his close association with a convicted sex offender and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, his long delay in doing so and initial response to the charges and MS Giuffre have been a source of deep hurt and embarrassment to many people across the city”.

Carrying a title does carry an ambassadorial relationship with that place.  And for somewhere with a global reputation, such as York, this is extremely important. It is to be welcomed that he has now pledged to support the fight against the evils of sex trafficking and its victims.

To demonstrate his seriousness in this endeavor, and his respect for those affected by abuse and the people of our city, I would ask that his first act of contrition is to confirm his support for the withdrawal of his ducal title.”

Prince Andrew reach’s  to a compromise.

This is all coming on after Prince Andrew reached a settlement in the sexual assault case filed against him by Virginia Giuffre for an undisclosed sum. However, Prince Andrew settlement out of court is not an acknowledgement of guilt, as Prince Andrew continues to gainsay any misconduct.

It could be recalled that Prince Andrew had stepped down from royal duties in 2019 over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A US court on Wednesday ruled that Virginia Giuffre, who asserted that the prince abused her in 2001, could proceed with legal action against him.

Prince Andrew became the Duke of York, on the day of his marriage on the 23rd of July in 1986. The Duke of York is a traditional title granted to the monarch’s second son. The title was previously held by the Queen’s father, George VI, and her grandfather George V.