Prince Andrew has announced he is stepping back from royal duties because the Jeffrey Epstein scandal has become a “major disruption” to his family. The Duke of York was recently questioned by BBC’s Emily Maitlis on his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who took his own life in prison in August.

Andrew’s latest move was taken following discussions with the Queen and Prince Charles and described by Buckingham Palace as a “personal decision”.

In a statement, the Duke said: “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.”

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• Prince Andrew statement in FULL: Duke QUITS royal duties

Prince Andrew family tree

The Duke of York sits under Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on the Royal Family tree as their second-eldest son and third child.

His siblings are Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.

Charles, also known as the Prince of Wales, will inherit the crown when the Queen passes away.

At the time of Andrew’s birth in 1960 he was second in line to the throne, but has since moved down to eight place.

This is because of the birth of Prince Charles’ children and grandchildren.

Prince William and Prince Harry are the sons of Charles and the late Princess Diana and Andrew’s nephews.

Prince Andrew was previously married to Sarah Ferguson, known as Fergie.

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Fergie had known Andrew since childhood, and became engaged to him in 1986.

The couple divorced in 1996 after 10 years of marriage and share two children together.

Andrew’s daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are ninth and tenth in line to the throne respectively.

Princess Eugenie married Jake Brooksbank in October 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.

The Duke of York’s eldest daughter Beatrice will marry Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in the Spring of 2020.

Andrew’s family belongs to the House of Windsor – a house that began in 1917 when the family changed its name from the German “Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.”

The Duke’s grandfather, King George V, was the first Windsor monarch.

Today’s British royals are the descendants of King George and his wife, Queen Mary.

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