In an unprecedented move, King Charles has stripped his brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal title amid growing scrutiny over Andrew’s ties to the convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.
The extraordinary action marks a historic fall from grace for the younger royal, whose relationship with Epstein has long fueled public controversy.
Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday that formal proceedings have begun to remove “the style, titles, and honors of Prince Andrew.”
Following the change, Andrew will be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, adopting the family surname of the House of Windsor. He will also be relocated from his Royal Lodge residence to a private property.
The decision comes after new disclosures regarding Andrew’s relationship with Epstein and detailed allegations from Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a woman trafficked to Andrew by Epstein, regarding sexual abuse.
Andrew has consistently denied the accusations, but inconsistencies in his account of events have eroded his standing within the royal family and prompted calls from lawmakers for parliamentary action.
Last week, Andrew announced he would relinquish his most prominent royal title, the Duke of York. Buckingham Palace clarified that his title as prince is derived from his status as a child of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
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On Thursday, palace officials stated that King Charles would issue “royal warrants” to remove both the Duke of York and Prince titles, along with the honorific “His Royal Highness,” from the Peerage Roll.
Palace officials stressed that the process does not require parliamentary approval, as the king is exercising his royal prerogative to expedite the matter without diverting legislative attention from other national priorities.
The move is the most dramatic royal downgrade since King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936, and far surpasses the 2020 withdrawal of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from official duties, as they retained their royal titles.
Andrew will move to a residence on the grounds of Sandringham, a royal property in Norfolk owned by King Charles, who will continue to support him through private funds.
Buckingham Palace emphasized that the measures were necessary, despite Andrew’s denials, and reaffirmed the royal family’s solidarity with survivors of abuse.
“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,” the palace said.
The historic stripping of titles underscores the royal family’s effort to distance itself from scandal and highlights the growing consequences of ties to convicted sexual predators for members of the monarchy.
Story credit: The New York Times
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