Prince Andrew, the British royal under intense scrutiny for his decades-long friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has announced that he will be pulling back from public duties.

Through a statement released on Wednesday, November 20, the Duke of York said that the association "has become a major disruption to my family's work and the valuable work going on in the many organizations and charities that I am proud to support."

His statement comes just days after a controversial interview in which he denied allegations that he had sex with an underaged woman who said she had been trafficked by Epstein.

Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, is eighth in line to the British throne.

Prince Andrew was born February 19, 1960, as the second son to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Prince Andrew was born February 19, 1960, as the second son to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
-/AFP via Getty Images
Prince Andrew sits on his father's lap during a holiday in Scotland in September 1960. At left is his sister, Princess Anne. At right, next to the Queen, is his brother Prince Charles.
Prince Andrew sits on his father's lap during a holiday in Scotland in September 1960. At left is his sister, Princess Anne. At right, next to the Queen, is his brother Prince Charles.
Associated Press
The royal family poses for photos in 1968. Prince Andrew is at bottom right. He is joined by his parents and his three siblings, including his younger brother, Prince Edward.
The royal family poses for photos in 1968. Prince Andrew is at bottom right. He is joined by his parents and his three siblings, including his younger brother, Prince Edward.
Associated Press
The Queen looks at a photo album with Andrew, left, and Edward in 1971.
The Queen looks at a photo album with Andrew, left, and Edward in 1971.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
From left, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew attend an equestrian event in 1972.
From left, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew attend an equestrian event in 1972.
Dieter Klar/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
Prince Andrew is photographed on his 18th birthday in 1978.
Prince Andrew is photographed on his 18th birthday in 1978.
Associated Press
Prince Andrew receives a Green Beret award at an event in 1980. He served in the British Royal Navy for 22 years and was a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War.
Prince Andrew receives a Green Beret award at an event in 1980. He served in the British Royal Navy for 22 years and was a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War.
Associated Press
Prince Andrew is second from right in this photo taken at the 1981 wedding of his brother Prince Charles.
Prince Andrew is second from right in this photo taken at the 1981 wedding of his brother Prince Charles.
BIPNA/Associated Press
Prince Andrew poses next to a helicopter in 1982.
Prince Andrew poses next to a helicopter in 1982.
Keystone/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
Girls line up to give flowers to Prince Andrew as he arrives in Portsmouth, England, for an event in 1983.
Girls line up to give flowers to Prince Andrew as he arrives in Portsmouth, England, for an event in 1983.
Press Association/AP
The prince is face to face with a cow during a royal tour of Canada in 1985.
The prince is face to face with a cow during a royal tour of Canada in 1985.
James Gray/Daily Mail/Shutterstock
In July 1986, Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2019%2F11%2F16%2Fuk%2Fprince-andrew-queen-jeffrey-epstein-scli-intl-gbr%2Findex.html" target="_blank">They were the ultimate "It" couple</a> of the late 1980s. Their wedding drew a TV audience of hundreds of millions.
In July 1986, Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson. They were the ultimate "It" couple of the late 1980s. Their wedding drew a TV audience of hundreds of millions.
Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images
Prince Andrew and his wife, Sarah, visit Canada in 1987. Ferguson, a commoner, was said to bring a breath of fresh air to the royal family.
Prince Andrew and his wife, Sarah, visit Canada in 1987. Ferguson, a commoner, was said to bring a breath of fresh air to the royal family.
John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
The Duke and Duchess of York pose during their Canadian holiday in 1987.
The Duke and Duchess of York pose during their Canadian holiday in 1987.
Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images
The couple holds their first child, Beatrice, in 1988. They had two children together before their high-profile divorce in 1996.
The couple holds their first child, Beatrice, in 1988. They had two children together before their high-profile divorce in 1996.
Associated Press
Prince Andrew holds hands with his two daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, after arriving for a dinner in London in 1997.
Prince Andrew holds hands with his two daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, after arriving for a dinner in London in 1997.
Dave Caulkin/Associated Press
The prince lines up a putt during a celebrity golf tournament in 1998.
The prince lines up a putt during a celebrity golf tournament in 1998.
Tim Ockenden/PA Images/Getty Images
Prince Andrew attends a party with girlfriend Aurelia Cecil in 1999.
Prince Andrew attends a party with girlfriend Aurelia Cecil in 1999.
Richard Young/Shutterstock
Prince Andrew poses with Donald Trump and Trump's future wife, Melania, at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2000.
Prince Andrew poses with Donald Trump and Trump's future wife, Melania, at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2000.
Davidoff Studios Photography/Archive Photos/Getty Images
The prince attends a Formula 1 party in London in 2000.
The prince attends a Formula 1 party in London in 2000.
Richard Young/Shutterstock
Prince Andrew visits the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, England, in 2006.
Prince Andrew visits the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, England, in 2006.
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty Images
Prince Andrew, back left, poses with his parents and his siblings for a family photo in 2007.
Prince Andrew, back left, poses with his parents and his siblings for a family photo in 2007.
Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA/Getty Images
Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein walk through New York's Central Park in 2011.
Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein walk through New York's Central Park in 2011.
The Sun/MEGA
The prince was installed as chancellor of the University of Huddersfield in 2015.
The prince was installed as chancellor of the University of Huddersfield in 2015.
Lynne Cameron/PA Wire/Press Association Images/AP
Prince Andrew and his parents watch horse racing in Epsom, England, in 2016.
Prince Andrew and his parents watch horse racing in Epsom, England, in 2016.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Princess Eugenie is accompanied by her father during her wedding in 2018.
Princess Eugenie is accompanied by her father during her wedding in 2018.
Yui Mok/AFP/Getty Images
Prince Andrew talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, which took place in London in November 2019.
Prince Andrew talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, which took place in London in November 2019.
Chris Jackson/AP