In a dramatic constitutional confrontation, Members of Parliament are taking direct action against Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, with proposed legislation that would force his removal from Buckingham Palace.
The extraordinary private member's bill, tabled by SNP MP Kenny MacAskill, represents an unprecedented parliamentary challenge to royal privilege and follows the Duke's disastrous civil settlement in the Jeffrey Epstein sexual abuse case.
Constitutional Clash Over Royal Residence
The proposed legislation would effectively strip the Duke of his right to occupy his current 30-room apartment within the royal palace, a residence he has maintained despite stepping back from public duties in 2019. The move signals growing parliamentary frustration with the Royal Family's handling of the Epstein scandal aftermath.
Mr MacAskill's bill argues that taxpayers should not fund the security and maintenance of the Duke's palace accommodation while serious questions about his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein remain unanswered.
Mounting Pressure on the Monarchy
This parliamentary intervention comes at a delicate time for the Royal Family, with the King facing increasing pressure to demonstrate that the institution has learned from recent controversies. The Duke's continued presence in royal palaces has become a focal point for critics who argue the monarchy has been too lenient in its response.
The proposed legislation states that "the Duke of York should no longer occupy publicly funded accommodation at the Royal Palace and should make alternative arrangements for his residence."
Public Opinion and Political Will
Recent polling indicates strong public support for reducing Prince Andrew's royal privileges, with many Britons believing his association with Epstein has damaged the monarchy's reputation. The parliamentary move reflects this shifting public mood and represents one of the most direct challenges to royal authority in recent history.
While private member's bills rarely become law without government support, this legislative effort demonstrates the growing political will to hold even the highest-ranking royals accountable for their actions and associations.
The Palace has yet to issue an official response to the proposed legislation, but sources indicate senior royals are closely monitoring the situation as it develops in Westminster.
