King Charles has initiated a formal process to strip Prince Andrew of his royal titles and honours, Buckingham Palace announced. The Duke of York will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and must vacate his home at the Royal Lodge in Windsor.
The decision, supported by the Prince of Wales and not opposed by Andrew, follows ongoing reputational damage to the monarchy due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre, who died in April, claimed in her posthumous memoir that Andrew believed having sex with her was his birthright. Andrew has consistently denied the allegations and settled a civil case with Giuffre for £12m without admitting liability.
Andrew will move to a property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, privately funded by the king. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also leave Royal Lodge and arrange her own accommodation. Formal notice to surrender the lease was served on Thursday, with the move expected as soon as practicable.
The removal applies to the titles of Prince, Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, Baron Killyleagh, and the style His Royal Highness, as well as his Order of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, retain their titles under King George V's 1917 letters patent.
The king acted now due to serious lapses of judgment, despite Andrew's continued denials. The government supports the move, which was made in consultation with relevant authorities. The dukedom of York will be removed from the peerage roll via royal warrants to the lord chancellor, avoiding an act of parliament to allow focus on urgent national issues.
