PRINCE Andrew has reportedly been dropped as patron of almost 50 organisations in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.
The Duke of York has been quietly or publicly removed from the top role by dozens of different bodies, it was reported tonight.
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The Telegraph states some felt it was “no longer appropriate” to continue their public associations with him.
While others are said to have expressed a desire to find someone “better suited” to their aims and values.
A spokesperson for the Duke of York has declined to comment on the report.
The royal stepped back from public duties over his friendship with convicted paedophile Epstein 18 months ago.
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” Newsnight interview, many of his charities found themselves in a difficult position, reports the Telegraph
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, we told how the Prince of Wales had taken over patronage of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) after the controversy around his brother’s friendship with Epstein.
Andrew has faced calls to speak to US prosecutors and the FBI, which intensified after his friend Ghislaine Maxwell was charged with 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.
