King Charles has taken the unprecedented step of stripping Prince Andrew of all remaining titles and evicting him from the Royal Lodge, as the monarchy seeks to distance itself from the scandal surrounding the Duke of York's association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday that Andrew will now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, effectively living as a commoner. He has been given notice to vacate the 30-room mansion on the Windsor estate and will move to alternative private accommodation on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, at the King's expense. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also move out and arrange her own living arrangements.
The decision follows renewed public outrage after emails emerged showing Andrew remained in contact with Epstein longer than previously admitted, and the publication of a posthumous memoir by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she had sex with Andrew when she was 17. Giuffre died by suicide in April at age 41. Her family said in a statement that she “brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage”.
Palace officials had hoped forcing Andrew to relinquish his Duke of York title would draw a line under the controversy, but with MPs demanding answers over the peppercorn rent paid at the Windsor estate, the King acted decisively. The palace stated that although Andrew denies the allegations, there have been “serious lapses of judgement”. Andrew did not object to the removal of his titles and honours, and the Prince of Wales and wider royal family are understood to be supportive of the King's decision.
