Prince Andrew urged to downsize from Royal Lodge after giving up Duke of York title

It comes as Prince Andrew has agreed to give up the use of his title as Duke of York amid continued accusations against him.

He said he would put his duty to family and country first and step further back from public life. Andrew will no longer use his title or honours, including surrendering membership of the Order of the Garter.

He will, however, remain a prince as the son of the late Queen Elizabeth.

Ms Griffiths told GB News: "Well, I think they just reached a tipping point in the Royal Family. It was just completely untenable for him to keep his title.

"He had to give it up himself, essentially, to save further drama, further headlines. Further scene-stealing from other royals.

"So it was a rare moment, really, of self-awareness from the Duke of York to actually fall on his sword. I know he's been under a lot of pressure, and he mentioned Prince William there.

"I think Prince William was very involved. Prince William is furious about the situation. He is the future of the monarchy going forward. And he wants to protect it, and I'm afraid Andrew was a huge liability."

She added: "He's refusing to move out of Royal Lodge. I also think he should do the honourable thing and give up that lease.

"I just think it's completely inappropriate for him to have a very, very large 30-room senior property very close to Prince William's new house, and it doesn't befit his status. He's no longer the Duke of York, so he really needs to downsize."

In a statement released today, 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," Prince Andrew said.

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.

"With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.

"As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me," he concluded.

Prince Andrew’s decision comes amid intense public scrutiny over his past ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Reports over the weekend claimed the Duke of York told Epstein they were "in this together" the day after a photo with Virginia Giuffre was published in 2011.

Andrew had previously insisted he cut all contact with Epstein in December 2010.

However, the newly leaked correspondence appeared to show the duke writing to Epstein on February 28, 2011.

In the message, Prince Andrew stated they were "in this together" and would need to "rise above it", suggesting ongoing contact between the pair.

The email cast fresh doubt over the duke’s previous public statements regarding the timeline of his association with Epstein.

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