King Charles III has officially removed his younger brother, Prince Andrew, from all remaining royal duties and privileges, marking the final step in his long-running fall from grace.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Thursday, officials confirmed that the 65-year-old will no longer use the title Prince and will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
According to palace sources, the move followed “a formal process to remove the style, titles, and honours of Prince Andrew” due to what they described as “serious lapses in judgement.”
The decision ends years of controversy over Andrew’s relationship with the late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It also renews questions about how the royal family handles scandals involving its members.
As part of the changes, Andrew will leave his longtime home, Royal Lodge at Windsor, and move to a smaller property on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk — a move said to be privately funded by the King.
Although Andrew has denied sexually assaulting Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of abusing her as a teenager, the palace said the action was necessary “to preserve the dignity of the Crown and show solidarity with victims of abuse.”
“These measures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding his continued denial of the allegations,” the statement read.
“Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies remain with the victims and survivors of all forms of abuse.”
Pressure on the monarchy had increased in recent weeks after new emails from 2011 surfaced, appearing to contradict Andrew’s 2019 claim that he cut ties with Epstein in 2010. One of the alleged emails read: “Keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!”
The controversy deepened after the posthumous release of Giuffre’s memoir, published earlier this month following her death. Her family welcomed the King’s decision, calling it “a victory for truth and accountability.”
“Virginia never stopped fighting,” her brother and sister-in-law said in a joint statement. “Today, an ordinary American girl brought down a British prince through her courage.”
Andrew, who stepped back from public duties in 2019 after his infamous BBC Newsnight interview, did not oppose the King’s decision. Government officials were briefed before the announcement and expressed full support.
Despite losing his royal titles, Andrew remains eighth in line to the British throne, after Prince Harry and his children.
His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also vacate Royal Lodge and find alternative accommodation. Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will keep their royal titles under existing royal rules.
British politicians across party lines have praised the King’s move. Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch described it as “a difficult but necessary act,” while Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats said it was “a vital step to restore public trust.”
SNP leader Stephen Flynn added: “It’s the right decision — and an important moment for the victims of Epstein.”
