Prince Andrew ‘quietly removed’ from 50 patronages following Jeffrey Epstein scandal

The move by many organisations comes after the royal became mired in controversy over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The Duke of York has been quietly or publicly removed from the top role by dozens of different bodies, it was reported.

The Telegraph states some felt it was “no longer appropriate” to continue their public associations with him.

Others are said to have expressed a desire to find someone “better suited” to their aims and values.

RELATED: Queen’s new Prince Andrew debacle

The Duke of York has reportedly been dropped as patron of almost 50 organisations. Picture: John Thys/AFP

A spokesperson for the Duke of York declined to comment on the report.

The royal stepped back from public duties after becoming mired in controversy 18 months ago over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew was accused by one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre, of having sex with her twice when she was 17.

He has strongly denied all accusations and has kept a low profile since being forced out of the spotlight.

Following his “car crash” BBC Newsnight interview, many of his charities found themselves in a difficult position, reports the Telegraph.

RELATED: Prince Andrew ‘too toxic’ for The Crown

Prince Andrew’s BBC Newsnight interview left many of his charities in a difficult position. Picture: BBC

Charities distance themselves from Prince

And several are said to have decided to end their links with the Prince almost immediately.

Those reportedly included the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, the Golf Foundation, the Children’s Foundation and the Outward Bound Trust.

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children’s Fund was reported as saying: “We felt that as a children’s charity it was not appropriate for him to remain patron.”

The Berkshire County Cricket Club, the Society for Nautical Research and Whitgift School in Croydon, also apparently cut their ties.

Of around 150 organisations contacted by Telegraph reporters, 47 are said to have confirmed they had ended their affiliation with the Duke.

Many chose not to comment, while others reportedly said although they felt they should part ways with the Duke, they felt unable to do so as he has not been charged or convicted of any crime.

Last month, it was reported that the Prince of Wales had taken over patronage of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) after the controversy around his brother’s friendship with Epstein.

RELATED: Andrew offered $9 million for lie detector test

Prince Charles took over the patronage of the RPO after the controversy over his brother’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Calls for Prince to speak with FBI

Andrew has faced calls to speak to US prosecutors and the FBI, which intensified after his friend Ghislaine Maxwell was charged with allegedly recruiting girls for Epstein to sexually abuse.

Ms Giuffre, who says she was trafficked by Epstein as a teenager, said in an interview with BBC Panorama that she was left “horrified and ashamed” after an alleged sexual encounter with the Duke in 2001.

Andrew categorically denies he had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Ms Giuffre.

Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell are pictured together inside Maxwell’s London home. Picture: Screengrab/Channel 9/60 Minutes/

This article originally appeared on The Sun and is reproduced here with permission