Prince Andrew quits golf club as Charles and William ‘shocked’ he’ll face jury trial

Prince Andrew has quit one of his prestigious memberships ahead of legal fight as “deeply shocked” Charles and William launch a bid to stop jury trial.

Prince Andrew (l) with USA politician President Bill Clinton in golf cart during round of golf at Farm Neck Golf Club in Martha's Vineyard 27 Aug 1999. British royalty

After being stripped of his royal titles, Prince Andrew has given up his 30-year golf club membership ahead of a sex abuse case he wants to fight in court.

The Duke of York’s end to his three-decade relationship with The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews comes after court documents filed in New York show he “demands a trial by jury” to clear his name.

Prince Charles and Prince William were are reported to be “deeply shocked” at the demand and have urged him to settle the civil case quickly, according to royal sources.

Prince Andrew strenuously denies claims by accuser Virginia Giuffre, who said she had sex with the prince when she was 17 after meeting him through Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

An undated photo of Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell. Picture: AFP.

He is preparing to give a sworn statement and sources say his lawyers hope to convince the judge to allow him to appear via video link from his Windsor mansion.

With his deposition likely to take seven hours, Charles and William are leading efforts to persuade him to stop the case dragging on to protect the family from further humiliation, according to The Sun.

“After the car crash of Newsnight, no one thinks a seven-hour deposition is a good idea. If he were to appear in court it could be many times worse and senior royals were deeply shocked when they heard that he was demanding a jury trial,” the source said.

“The best outcome for everyone is that this is settled as soon as possible. There are deep, deep worries that this will get worse and worse for the family and will overshadow Platinum Jubilee celebrations.”

Prince Charles and Prince William said to be urging Prince Andrew to end case to protect the Queen. Picture: AFP.

Ms Giuffre’s lawyer David Boies has said that she is “determined to go to trial, but a settlement is always a possibility”.

Legal experts predict a settlement could cost up to $18 million, with The Sun reporting that he plans to use the sale of his Swiss chalet to fund the deal as a private citizen. He recently sold the property at an exclusive alpine resort in Verbier, Switzerland.

In another uncoupling from British high society, York Racecourse in northern England announced it was renaming an event called the Duke of York Stakes despite it referencing a different Duke.

And a police station in southern England has removed a plaque saying it was opened by the Duke of York, citing a complaint from a member of the public, the BBC reported.

A spokesman for the golf club northeast of Edinburgh said they “respect and appreciate” Prince Andrew’s decision to voluntarily give up his connection.

Prince Andrew gave up his membership at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

“The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has received notification that the Duke of York will relinquish his honorary membership,” the spokesman said in a statement.

Prince Andrew was effectively thrown out of the Royal Family by the Queen’s decision to strip away his titles and duties

The banishment was said to be pushed by Prince Charles and Prince William in an effort to protect the monarchy.

Prince Andrew will no longer officially hold his 12 military affiliations and royal patronages to the Queen.

His official roles will return to his 95-year-old mother to be distributed among other royal family members.

Prince Andrew will be stripped of his royal titles. Picture: AFP.

He loses the titles of His Royal Highness, as well as the honorary titles of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards and RAF Air Commodore. He is also stripped of the official uniforms he would have worn at official events.

Beyond official titles, he loses dozens of patronages for universities, charities, medical institutions and sporting clubs.

He does, however, retain the title Duke of York, the rank of Vice-Admiral in the Navy and keep the medals he earned as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War.

He also keeps the Order of the Garter and remains a Counsellor of State, which allows him to step in if the Queen is unable to perform her duties.