ITV viewers defend Richard Madeley during GMB clash with Labour MP as she refuses to answer Prince Andrew question

The decision comes after the prince acknowledged that ongoing allegations surrounding him were creating a distraction from royal duties.

He will retain his status as a prince but forfeit the dukedom bestowed by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The move represents a significant reduction in his formal royal standing.

The allegations stem from his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which the prince has vigorously denied.

His former spouse Sarah Ferguson will lose her Duchess of York designation, though their daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie retain their titles.

On Monday's Good Morning Britain, Mr Madeley shared with Ms Phillipson how some have called for further action to be taken.

"He is still a Duke," Mr Madeley noted. "He is still the Duke of York. He hasn't actually lost that title.

"It's simply been parked, put him to a bench, and there is a growing clamor. I'm sure you'll be aware of it, since that was announced on Friday, a growing clamor that actually, that's not enough, that this needs to come before Parliament, which is the only organisation, the only body that could actually strip him of the title, and it would have to be referred to Parliament by the King.

"Now, the speculation is that the King didn't want to do that because he didn't want to waste parliamentary time, but it's emerged now that this is being examined, that it wouldn't take much time at all - just a couple of hours.

"If it did come before Parliament, Would you welcome it?"

"These are matters for the Royal Family, and you'll appreciate there are limits in what I can say, because these are matters the Royal Family would have to set out," the Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities replied.

"It's not the business of Government to routinely involve ourselves in matters concerning the Royal Family. That's the way it's always been.

"The Royal Family don't involve themselves in politics, and therefore the government don't involve ourselves in the role that the Royal Family carries out on behalf of our nation.

"So we'd have to be guided by the Royal Family in any further decisions in this area."

Co-presenter Charlotte Hawkins argued: "You say it's matters for the Royal Family, but you know, let's not forget that the Royal Family are funded by the taxpayer, aren't they?

"And there are lots of people saying that this situation is a stain on Britain right now and that more action should be taken."

Doubling down on her response, Ms Phillipson echoed: "As I say, we would have to be guided by the Royal Family on all of this.

"We do support the statement that the Royal Family issued, that those titles are no longer being used, but anything further we would need to hear from them. It's not the Government.

"But that's the question, and I don't think it's a difficult one, really, just to simply say to you that if you were guided by the Royal Family, ie the king and this were to be laid before Parliament, would you be comfortable?" Mr Madeley pressed.

"Would you welcome the opportunity to strip Andrew, formally, properly, of his title as Duke?"

"I mean, you're inviting me to comment on a hypothetical that hasn't happened, so you'll forgive me, I'm not going to do that," the MP replied firmly. "All I can say is that we'll be guided by the Royal Family in the approach that they're taking that's been the long standing way that things have been done in this country."

Several viewers gave their own opinions on the interview on social media, with many supporting Mr Madeley's suggestions that MPs should respond to questions concerning public demand.

One penned: "Royals investigating royals. I dont think so!! Enough is enough."

"It's a matter for the people of Britain. You are there to represent us," another noted.

"Another MP who cannot answer for herself, no opinion at all! Deflection is an art..." someone else wrote.

A different viewer commented: "No one is above the law. It’s a matter for government to investigate them and bring justice to the victims."

"Spineless reply," another complained.

However, others disagreed, taking issue with Mr Madeley's line of questioning.

One asked: "How b****y childish are you Madeley!!" while another posted: "It’s a matter for the police isn’t it?" (sic)