Prince Andrew relinquished his royal title Friday as an expert says the move protects the British monarchy from being "overshadowed by sleaze" related to Epstein links.

Prince Andrew has been banished from the royal whirl after emails emerged this week showing that he had remained in contact with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein longer than he previously admitted.

King Charles III's brother said that "the continued accusations about me" were distracting from the work of the royal family.

Prince Andrew announced on Friday he would give up using his royal titles, including the Duke of York, although he remains under pressure to go further amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal

Prince Andrew required Virginia Giuffre sign a one-year gag order to avoid tarnishing his mother’s platinum jubilee

Prince Andrew's decision to give up his Duke of York title was described as a "vindication" by the family of late Epstein survivor Virginia Roberts Giuffre.