OFFICIAL: Prince Andrew steps down from Royal duties

OFFICIAL: Prince Andrew steps down from Royal duties
The Queen has given permission for the Duke of York to 'step back from public duties for the foreseeable future'. 

“I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”

He added: “I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure. I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives.

The Duke has been criticised for his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, especially after his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis on Saturday which caused a furious public backlash.

Prince Andrew issued a statement saying it had become clear to him that his friendship with the billionaire had caused ‘major disruption’ to the Royal Family’s work. Many charities, some of which the Prince was a Patron, have ceased his involvement within their organisations

The palace announcement came after businesses either severed ties or said that they would be reviewing their involvement with Pitch@Palace, the business mentoring scheme founded by Prince Andrew.

The Prince stated he was willing to assist  ‘any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations’ into the sex offender, who killed himself in prison while facing sex trafficking charges. 

As Andrew revealed he would be stepping down, the Queen put on a brave face as she presented Sir David Attenborough with an award for his Blue Planet II series. 

David Attenborough sits next to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth during the annual Chatham House award in London, Britain November 20, 2019.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Print Recipe

BECOME A MiNDFOOD SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Let us keep you up to date with our weekly MiNDFOOD e-newsletters which include the weekly menu plan, health and news updates or tempt your taste buds with the MiNDFOOD Daily Recipe. 

Member Login