Australia, insurance, car, home, live, holidays

Prince Andrew is stepping down from his public duties.Credit:AP

The decision of a senior royal to step away from his royal duties is extremely unusual and reflects the degree to which charities and educational institutions had been questioning their associations with him.

Andrew,who showed no remorse in anunsuccessful TV interview on Saturday,said he regretted his association with the former US billionaire investor and that he"deeply sympathises"with Epstein's many victims.

The prince said he had sought and received his mother's permission to step back from royal duties. The statement does not say if this is a temporary or permanent change in his role.

He added:"I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions,particularly for his victims,and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure."

Andrew has been heavily criticised for his performance in the television interview in which he failed to express concern for Epstein's victims,many of whom were underage and were victims of trafficking and forced to have sex with powerful friends of the billionaire.

Some charities that he has worked with as a patron have said they were reviewing their association with the prince because of his actions.

Epstein was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges when he died,robbing his alleged victims of a chance for their day in court. His death on August 10 in a New York prison has been ruled a suicide by the city's medical examiner.

Like most senior members of the royal family,Andrew was patron for charities and other civic endeavours,lending his name and the backing of the monarchy to the good works of all manner of institutions.

Andrew's failure to show empathy for the young women exploited by Epstein earned him widespread derision - and made corporate backers and universities think twice about their ties to the senior member of the House of Windsor.

During the TV interview,Andrew categorically denied claims that he had sex with Virginia Giuffre,who says she was trafficked by Epstein. Giuffre said she had sex with Andrew on three occasions,including twice when she was 17.

In the interview with the BBC's Emily Maitlis,Andrew seemed insensitive and arrogant - particularly in an era in which social media has made even the rich and the powerful seem more accessible.

Andrew even defended his previous friendship with Epstein because of the contacts it provided when he was preparing for his role as Britain's special trade representative.

Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14;Mensline 1300 789 978;Kids Helpline 1800 551 800;beyondblue 1300 224 636.