Prince Andrew is to be stripped of his royal titles and will move out of his home at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, Buckingham Palace has announced. The king's brother will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, in the latest fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
King Charles has initiated a formal process to remove Andrew's style, titles and honours, including the Duke of York title and his knighthoods. The prince did not object to the process, which had the support of the Prince of Wales. The decision follows anxiety within the royal household about reputational risk to the monarchy from headlines concerning Andrew's friendship with Epstein and allegations of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre.
Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, claimed in her posthumous memoir that Andrew believed having sex with her was his birthright. Andrew has always denied the claims and settled a civil case for a reported £12m with no admission of liability. Her family said on Thursday that she had 'brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage'.
Buckingham Palace said formal notice had been served to surrender the lease on Royal Lodge, and Andrew will move to alternative private accommodation on the Sandringham estate, privately funded by the king. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also move out and sort out her own living arrangements. The move is expected to take place 'as soon as practicable'.
The removal process 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. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie retain their titles. The government supports the decision, which was made in consultation with relevant authorities.
