LONDON — In a stunning and nearly unprecedented move, King Charles III has stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of his remaining royal titles and ordered him to vacate his longtime residence, Buckingham Palace confirmed Thursday. The decision follows intense public and political pressure surrounding Andrew’s long-criticized relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The palace issued a sharply worded statement announcing that the disgraced royal — now legally known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — will no longer carry the title of prince, nor be recognized as His Royal Highness. He must also leave Royal Lodge, his 30-room mansion located on the grounds near Windsor Castle.
The development comes just weeks after Andrew surrendered the title Duke of York amid renewed scrutiny tied to recently surfaced emails and the posthumous memoir of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, an Epstein victim who died by suicide earlier this year.
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations,” the palace said, adding that King Charles and Queen Camilla’s sympathies remain with survivors of abuse.
Historic Precedent
Removing a British prince of his birthright title is extremely rare. The last instance dates back to 1919, when Prince Ernest Augustus was stripped for siding with Germany during World War I.
A Victory for Victims
Giuffre’s family publicly praised the decision.
“An ordinary American girl brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage,” her brother said in a statement to the BBC.
Her memoir, Nobody’s Girl, alleges that Andrew had sexual encounters with her when she was 17 and treated her as “a birthright.” Andrew has long denied the claims but agreed to a multi-million-dollar settlement in 2022.
Mounting Pressure
The king had attempted to avoid direct involvement, but the controversy resurfaced dramatically this week when he was heckled during a public appearance. The confrontation quickly went viral, pushing headlines and forcing the palace’s hand.
Prince Andrew withdrew from royal duties after a disastrous 2019 BBC interview widely viewed as reputation-shattering.
A Dramatic Royal Fall
Not since King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936 has the royal family seen such an extraordinary internal upheaval. Notably, Prince Harry — despite renouncing senior duties — still retains his prince title and Duke of Sussex status.
Andrew, once a decorated Royal Navy helicopter pilot during the Falklands War and a tabloid favorite, has for decades been linked to questionable business dealings and controversial acquaintances.
New Living Arrangements
The 65-year-old is expected to relocate to a property on the king’s Sandringham estate. Palace officials say he will receive private financial assistance from the monarch. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who lived with him at Royal Lodge, will need to seek new accommodation.
As the fallout continues, the move signals the king’s willingness to draw sharp boundaries — even within his own bloodline — to protect the monarchy’s reputation in the post-Epstein era.