Prince Andrew Dropped From Nearly 50 Patronages Following Jeffrey Epstein Scandal: Report
Prince Andrew has been quietly removed from nearly 50 patronages after the prince's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein was exposed a few years ago, The Telegraph revealed on May 15.
According to the outlet, many charities — specifically those working with children — felt it was "no longer appropriate" to continue working with Prince Andrew, while others said they were going to find another representative that was "better suited" to their needs.
“We felt that as a children's charity it was not appropriate for him to remain patron," the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children’s Fund said.
The Royal National Institute for the Deaf, the Golf Foundation, the Children's Foundation, the Outward Bound Trust and the British Science Association all cut ties with Andrew.
The Telegraph contacted around 150 patronages, and 47 confirmed that they ended their affiliation with him, while others declined to respond to comment on the sensitive subject.
Tim Ward, a trustee of the Friends of Lakefield College School, said when the Duke stepped back in 2019 after his Newsnight interview, "we considered that the end of the patronage really."
“The announcement of the Duke of York stepping back from public duties received widespread attention and many patronages were quick to get in touch,” a Buckingham Palace source said. “Since then patronages wishing to discuss the impact on their operations have been dealt with as they arose.”
In April, it was announced that Prince Charles had taken his second patronage from his brother.
"The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is delighted to announce that The Prince of Wales has accepted an invitation to become the Orchestra's Patron," they wrote in a statement on Tuesday, April 27. "The Prince of Wales has a life-long association with the Arts. During the pandemic His Royal Highness spoke about the importance of protecting the Arts, stressing their enormous importance to life in the UK and to the economy."
In November 2020, Charles became patron of York Minister cathedral.
Prince Andrew has been accused of having sex with Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre when she was just 17 years old. However, Andrew has denied he was ever involved with her.
As a result, he stepped down from his royal duties. "It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family's work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support," he said in the statement, which was released in 2019.