Why is Prince Andrew still a prince? Royal titles explained

Prince Andrew has dominated royal headlines over the weekend after he confirmed on Friday that he will no longer use his Duke of York title. The prince, 65, acknowledged how continued accusations against him as a result of his previous friendship with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein have distracted from the work of the Royal Family, resulting in him making this decision.

Although he has said he continues to deny any accusations against him, he has agreed with King Charles to no longer use his royal titles. However, while this may be the case, Andrew does still have the title of prince.

This means that he will still be referred to as Prince Andrew.

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While some people may want Andrew to lose this title too, it is not a simple task to undertake. When Andrew was born in 1960, he was born a prince as he was the son of a monarch, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The only way his prince title could therefore be changed is if a letters patent was issued by his brother King Charles.

While Andrew was born with the prince title, which he currently still holds, he was not born with the title of The Duke of York - a title he will now no longer use.

Instead, this was a title gifted to him on his wedding day by Queen Elizabeth II. This gift also extended to his now ex-wife Sarah Ferguson on their big day in 1986, with Sarah becoming Duchess of York.

However, since Friday, Sarah - who still lives with Andrew - has also lost her use of the York title.

In his statement on Friday relinquishing this title, Andrew wrote: “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.

“I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life. With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further.

“I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."