Prince Andrew Primarily Concerned With ‘Perks’ and ‘Cushy Lifestyle’ of Being a Royal, Expert Claims (Exclusive)

A royal expert is pulling back the curtain on Prince Andrew’s decision to give up his royal title as his longstanding relationship with the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein continues to make headlines.

“Gradually, since the Queen’s death, it has dawned on Andrew that he might really be booted out of the royal fold altogether,” Christopher Andersen, royal expert and author of Brothers and Wives, exclusively told Us Weekly on Friday, October 17.

“His titles, his privilege, his status all mattered to him,” Andersen continued. “But that has all been peeled away over the last few years and now he’s just hanging on by his fingertips. What matters most to Prince Andrew these days are all the perks — being able to hold on to Royal Lodge, his palatial home on the grounds of Windsor, maintaining a private staff and a cushy lifestyle.”

The author added, “His reputation may be in tatters, but I think he’s reached the stage where it’s the creature comforts that matter to him most. Charles was on the verge of stripping Andrew of his Duke of York title, so Andrew took the preemptive step of doing it himself.”

On Friday, the embattled royal announced he was giving up his title as Duke of York amid ongoing reports regarding his relationship with Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while he was being held at the Metropolitan Correction Facility awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

“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,” Andrew said in a statement to Us on Friday. “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.”