**Prince Andrew’s Surrender of Royal Title Sparks Renewed Focus on Security Arrangements**
*Published Oct. 18, 2025, 5:30 p.m. ET*
Prince Andrew’s recent decision to surrender his royal title has reignited comparisons to Prince Harry’s step back from royal duties—and raised questions about whether Andrew will also lose his taxpayer-funded security detail.
Royal expert Christopher Andersen commented on Friday, October 17, following Andrew’s announcement that he would no longer use his Duke of York title amid ongoing controversy over his ties to the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
“Even though he, like Harry, is no longer a working royal, it appears that he will continue to receive royal protection,” Andersen explained.
Andrew, 65, still resides on the grounds of Windsor Great Park, not far from the rest of the royal family, “so it goes with the territory,” Andersen added.
In contrast, Prince Harry lives in California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. Since stepping back from his senior royal duties in 2020, Harry no longer receives UK state-funded security.
### Stepping Back from Royal Life
Prince Andrew first stepped back from royal life in November 2019 after his association with Epstein made global headlines.
That same year, he was accused of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed the incident took place years earlier at one of Epstein’s homes. Andrew has consistently denied the allegations and later settled the sexual abuse case with Giuffre out of court before her death in April.
Queen Elizabeth II approved Andrew’s decision to withdraw from public duties at the time.
In a 2019 statement, Andrew said:
> “It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstance relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work.”
### Royal Protection Continues
Six years later, the scandal resurfaced when emails allegedly exchanged between Andrew and Epstein came to light, prompting Andrew to relinquish his Duke of York title.
In a new statement, Andrew said:
> “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honors which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Meanwhile, Prince Harry’s own battle over security continues. Following his move to the U.S., the Royal and VIP Executive Committee ruled that the Sussexes’ UK-funded security would end. Harry’s legal efforts to overturn this decision were unsuccessful in 2024.
After the ruling, Harry stated:
> “The U.K. is my birthplace and will always be a part of who I am. All I’ve been asking for is safety.”
As both princes navigate life away from official royal duties, questions remain about the extent of ongoing royal protection and security funding.
https://radaronline.com/p/prince-andrew-gives-up-royal-title-keeps-guards-harry-fight/
