Prince Andrew

II. Elizabeth’s son, Prince Andrew, could lose the title of Duke of York over scandal after he was accused of raping a minor.

According to Deadline reports, York City Council received the Freedom of the City of York award from Prince Andrew, which it has given since 1987. In addition, the council asked Prince Andrew to relinquish his ducal title. Council spokesman Daryl Smalley said: “Only parliament can formally withdraw the title of duchy.

Prince Andrew was at the center of the controversy last year when an American claimed that Virginia Roberts-Giuffre had repeatedly raped him when he was 17. According to Virginia, this incident took place at the mansion of her friend, famed millionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused of pedophilia and minor sex trafficking. The Duke of York denied his guilt and stated that everything was by mutual agreement and regretted his friendship with Epstein.

The scandal dealt a huge blow to the reputation of the Duke of York and the royal family: Prince Andrew’s military ranks and titles were abolished, he was removed from royal duties.

In February, Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts-Giuffre managed to reach an out-of-court settlement – ​​the Duke of York undertook to pay $16 million in damages, which would be sent to a charity. To settle accounts with Virginia, Prince Andrew had to sell his Swiss Alps chalet, and Queen Elizabeth inherited part of the payment.