LONDON, Oct 31: King Charles has formally stripped his brother of the title “Prince” and ordered him to vacate Royal Lodge, his long-time residence in Windsor, the BBC reported. Buckingham Palace confirmed that Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, ending weeks of speculation about his future within the royal family.
According to the BBC, the decision followed renewed public pressure over Andrew’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and fresh allegations published in the memoir of Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse when she was a teenager. Andrew has always denied the claims. Giuffre’s family, responding to the latest developments, said she had “brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage,” the BBC said. Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year.
Buckingham Palace said the King had initiated a formal process to remove Andrew’s remaining titles and honours. It also confirmed that notice had been served for him to surrender his 75-year lease on Royal Lodge, a mansion he has occupied since 2004. The BBC noted that Andrew will move to smaller private accommodation on the Sandringham Estate, reportedly funded by the King himself.
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The Palace said these steps were “necessary” even though Andrew continues to deny all allegations. It added that the royal family “stands firmly with victims of all forms of abuse.” His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their titles, and he remains eighth in line to the throne, the BBC reported.
Sarah Ferguson, his former wife, is also expected to leave Royal Lodge. The BBC said she has reverted to her maiden name after Andrew relinquished the title Duke of York earlier this month. Government sources told the BBC that ministers were consulted before the decision and supported the King’s move.
Appearing on BBC’s Question Time, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the step sent “a powerful message to victims of grooming and sex offences” and praised the King’s decision as a “significant and necessary” act.
The BBC said the action caps weeks of growing scrutiny over Andrew’s finances and ties to Epstein. Newly surfaced emails from 2011 appeared to show that Andrew remained in contact with Epstein months after claiming to have severed ties. The revelation reignited debate over his past conduct and his role within the royal household.
Details of his living arrangements also drew criticism. BBC News obtained lease documents showing that Andrew paid a one-time sum exceeding £8 million instead of rent for Royal Lodge. That payment, according to a National Audit Office report cited by the BBC, effectively covered 75 years of rent in advance at a nominal rate of £260,000 per year.
The BBC further revealed that Andrew hosted Epstein at Royal Lodge in 2006 for Princess Beatrice’s birthday, two months after a U.S. warrant had been issued for Epstein’s arrest. Andrew declined to comment when approached by the broadcaster.
For Buckingham Palace, the BBC said, the decision to remove Andrew’s titles and housing is a final attempt to close one of the most damaging chapters in recent royal history.
