The Palace announced a statement as The Queen stripped Prince Andrew of his titles

Prince Andrew has been surrounded by controversy this past few years due to his connection with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Epstein died in an apparent suicide in 2019 while being held without bail on charges of sex trafficking girls. And British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell has since been been convicted for sex trafficking charges.

Prince Andrew has found himself involved in the case due to his close relationship with both Maxwell and Epstein, and the reports made by one woman, Virginia Giuffre, formerly Roberts, that she was allegedly brought to the UK aged 17 to have sex with the royal. According to Giuffre, she was introduced to Prince Andrew by Ghislaine.

While the Duke of York stepped back from his public duties in 2019, the royal family has denied the claims, with Prince Andrew explaining during his controversial Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis that he had no recollection of meeting her.

Last year, the scandal resurfaced as Virginia Giuffre filed a lawsuit against the Duke of York, accusing him of sexual abuse, with Prince Andrew served with a lawsuit.

Since the news and subsequent lawsuit, there have been calls from the public for Prince Andrew to lose his royal privileges. And this week, as Prince Andrew faces US civil action, the royal family took action, with The Queen stripping her son of his royal and military titles.

Confirming the news in a statement, Buckingham Palace announced: 'With the Queen's approval and agreement, the Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.'

It continued: 'The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.'

We will continue to update this story.