LONDON: In a major royal decision, King Charles III has formally stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of all his remaining royal titles and privileges, while also ordering him to vacate his official residence, the Royal Lodge.
The decision follows weeks of mounting pressure on the monarchy to act in light of Andrew’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Public calls had intensified for Andrew’s removal from Royal Lodge after he relinquished the Duke of York title earlier this month. The pressure grew stronger following renewed attention to his ties with Epstein and the release of a memoir by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who had accused Andrew of sexual abuse.
Royal Announcement
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday that the king had “initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles, and Honours of Prince Andrew.” Following the unprecedented move, the Duke of York will now be referred to simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and will relocate to private accommodation.
In its statement, Buckingham Palace noted that the disciplinary measures were “necessary despite Andrew’s continued denial of the allegations.” The palace added that the royal family’s sympathies “remain with all victims and survivors of abuse.”
Historic Precedent
Such action is exceedingly rare in British royal history. The last similar instance occurred in 1919 when Prince Ernest Augustus lost his British title after siding with Germany during World War I.
Family of Giuffre Responds
Virginia Giuffre’s brother, Skye Roberts, welcomed the decision, describing it as a triumph for his late sister, who passed away in April at age 41. “Today, an ordinary American girl brought down a British prince through her truth and courage,” he said.
Renewed Allegations
The decision follows recent revelations suggesting that Andrew maintained contact with Epstein for longer than previously admitted. These emails, coupled with the publication of Giuffre’s book Nobody’s Girl, which described alleged sexual encounters with Andrew, reignited public outrage.
Past Scandal and Settlement
Prince Andrew, 65, stepped down from royal duties after a widely criticized 2019 BBC interview where he attempted to defend himself against the allegations. In 2022, he reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in the United States, reportedly worth millions, without admitting wrongdoing but acknowledging her suffering as a trafficking victim.
Titles and Honours Revoked
Following the king’s order, Andrew will no longer be addressed as “His Royal Highness” or hold any of his former titles, including Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh. He also loses honours such as the Order of the Garter and the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.
Future Residence
Andrew is expected to relocate to a smaller property on King Charles’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Reports suggest that while he will no longer receive public funds, his brother may provide him with limited private financial support.
