Epstein files: Pressure mounts on Trump following Prince Andrew's royal resignation

The United Kingdom’s Prince Andrew has announced that he will no longer use his title of Duke of York, a move that follows intense pressure from his brother, King Charles III, amid mounting revelations about Andrew’s association with the disgraced American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The 65-year-old prince said in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, “I will no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.” He added that the decision came after conversations with King Charles, and emphasized that his duty to his family and country remained paramount.

Though Andrew will retain the title of prince, as the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, he will relinquish the Duke of York title that had been granted to him by his mother. Reports in the UK media further suggest that he will also give up membership in the Order of the Garter, the most senior knighthood in the British honours system dating back to the 14th century. His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will no longer be known as the Duchess of York, although their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will maintain their royal status.

Andrew’s troubles began to intensify following a controversial television interview in 2019, in which he attempted to defend his friendship with Epstein. Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York jail while awaiting trial on charges of trafficking underage girls, had been a convicted sex offender with deep ties to powerful figures. Andrew has steadfastly denied all allegations of misconduct, including accusations made by Virginia Giuffre, a US and Australian citizen who claimed he sexually assaulted her when she was underage. Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, set for release next week, alleges that Andrew acted as if having sex with her was his “birthright.”

While Prince Andrew’s situation has dominated headlines in the United Kingdom, attention has also returned to former US President Donald Trump’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Although Trump has not been formally accused or charged in relation to Epstein’s crimes, recent developments have thrust his past association into public scrutiny once more. Nationwide anti-Trump protests have now broken out across America.

Trump and Epstein were acquaintances during the 1990s and early 2000s, often attending social events together. Trump has insisted that he severed ties with Epstein years ago, accusing Epstein of unethical behaviour, including allegedly “stealing” employees from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. However, Virginia Giuffre claimed that Epstein recruited her as a teenager from Mar-a-Lago. Trump has denied any involvement in Epstein’s illegal activities.

In May 2025, US Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump that his name appeared multiple times in Department of Justice documents related to the Epstein investigation. Following this, Trump requested that Bondi seek the unsealing of grand jury transcripts linked to the case. However, a federal judge denied the request citing legal restrictions.

Further complicating matters, Senator Richard Durbin has accused the FBI of instructing agents to “flag” any mention of Trump during their review of Epstein-related documents. These allegations have raised concerns about potential political influence over the investigation.

Some Republican leaders argue that Trump is being unfairly targeted, while Democratic lawmakers are pushing for full transparency and the release of all related information.