King Charles III has formally stripped his brother Prince Andrew of all royal titles and ordered him to vacate Royal Lodge. The 65-year-old will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and must surrender his lease on the 30-room Windsor mansion.
Buckingham Palace announced the King had initiated a formal process to remove Andrew's Style, Titles and Honours. The statement said: «Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.»
The Palace added: «These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him. Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.»
Victory for Giuffre Family
Virginia Giuffre's family declared the move a victory for their sister, who died by suicide in April at age 41. In a statement given to the BBC, they said: «Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.»
The family continued: «Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and countless other survivors like her. Today, she declares a victory. We, her family, along with her survivor sisters, continue Virginia's battle and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of her abusers and abetters, connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.»
Giuffre's posthumous memoir was published earlier this month, intensifying scrutiny of Andrew's past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Political Support Across Parties
Politicians from across the political spectrum backed the King's decision. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey told Nius: «It's clear that Andrew's position had become totally untenable, having disgraced his office and embarrassed the country. This is an important step towards rebuilding trust in our institutions and drawing a line under this whole sorry saga.»
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC Question Time: «I really support the step that he's taken. I think [it's] a very powerful message to the victims of grooming and sex offences.» She added it was «a really brave, important and right step by the King.»
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn posted on X: «The right decision and an important moment for the victims of Epstein.»
Future Arrangements
Andrew will move to private accommodation on the King's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, funded privately by Charles. The timing is described as «as soon as practicable.»
His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who has lived with him at Royal Lodge for over two decades despite their 1996 divorce, must make her own living arrangements. She will not be housed by the King.
Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their royal titles under King George V's 1917 Letters Patent, which protects titles for children of the sovereign's sons.
Andrew continues to deny allegations of sexual assault made by Virginia Giuffre. He settled a civil case with her in 2022 for a reported £12 million, without admitting wrongdoing.
The wider royal family, including Prince William, reportedly supports the King's decision. The government was consulted and deemed the move constitutionally proper.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
