Prince Andrew gives up membership at prestigious St. Andrews golf club

Prince Andrew on Friday gave up an honorary membership at the exclusive Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in the midst of sexual abuse allegations, The Associated Press reported.

“I can confirm that the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews has received notification that the Duke of York will relinquish his honorary membership,” the Scottish club said. “We respect and appreciate his decision.”

The club accepted Andrew’s decision just two weeks after he returned his military affiliations and royal patronages to Queen Elizabeth II, as announced in a statement by Buckingham Palace.

The news comes as a New York federal judge has permitted a case to move forward against Prince Andrew, accusing him of having sex with an underage girl — claims he has publicly denied. 

Virginia Giuffre alleges that she was sexually abused by financier Jeffrey Epstein and also had sex with the prince under the direction of Ghislaine Maxwell, a former partner of Epstein convicted in December of crimes related to grooming and trafficking underage girls for Epstein. 

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews is a private golf club made up of 2,400 members. It was founded in 1754 and has a long historical legacy with the sport of golf, including hosting 29 Open Championship events.