King Charles Moves to Strip Prince Andrew of Royal Titles and Residence

London —
King Charles III has reportedly begun formal proceedings to remove the royal and noble titles held by his brother, Prince Andrew, and has instructed him to vacate his residence, Royal Lodge, Buckingham Palace confirmed Thursday.

Prince Andrew, 65, continues to face renewed public and media scrutiny over his past association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The release of Nobody’s Girl, a memoir by Virginia Giuffre — who accused Andrew of sexual assault and died by suicide earlier this year — has brought the controversy back into the spotlight. Andrew has consistently denied all allegations against him.

In a palace statement issued Thursday, Buckingham Palace said:

“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.”

The statement added that Andrew “will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,” and confirmed that formal notice has been served for him to surrender the lease on Royal Lodge. He is expected to relocate to another private residence on the Sandringham estate, which will be funded privately by the King.

According to palace sources, the decision reflects acknowledgment of Andrew’s “serious lapses of judgment,” despite his continued denial of the allegations.

Rather than removing his titles through parliamentary action, the King will reportedly issue royal warrants to revoke Andrew’s peerages — including Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh — as well as his knighthoods in the Royal Victorian Order and the Order of the Garter. The changes are said to take effect immediately.

Buckingham Palace also expressed sympathy for abuse victims, stating that “Their Majesties’ thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with all victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”

Earlier this month, Andrew had sought to ease public criticism by voluntarily suspending his use of royal titles, but the move failed to quell ongoing questions about his past associations and financial affairs — including a multimillion-dollar settlement reportedly paid to Giuffre in 2022.

Public frustration has also grown amid revelations about the prince’s long-term lease of Royal Lodge, which he has occupied since 2003 under highly favorable terms.

Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife, who has shared the residence for two decades, is expected to relocate as well and is said to be making independent arrangements.

The King’s decision reportedly followed consultations with the British government, which has expressed support for the move.

If confirmed, this marks the first time in over a century that a British prince has been stripped of his titles — the last instance occurring in 1917, when Prince Charles Edward lost his dukedom after siding with Germany during World War I.