King Charles has formally stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal title and ordered him to vacate his Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, amid growing controversy over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
BBC reports Buckingham Palace announced late Thursday that Andrew will now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
The move comes weeks after he relinquished his Duke of York title following renewed scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein and fresh allegations in a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre.
Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year, had claimed she was sexually abused by Andrew as a teenager on three occasions. The 65-year-old former royal has consistently denied the allegations.
In its statement, the Palace said the King “has today initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles, and honours of Prince Andrew,” adding that “formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease” on Royal Lodge.
Andrew, who has lived at the Windsor mansion since 2004, will reportedly move to private accommodation on the Sandringham Estate, with funding understood to come from the King’s personal resources.
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him,” the Palace said, while expressing “support for victims of any and all forms of abuse.”
It was also confirmed that Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife, will leave Royal Lodge and revert fully to her maiden name, Ferguson, after previously holding the title Duchess of York. Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their titles.
The government was said to have been consulted before the King’s decision. Reacting to the announcement, UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC’s Question Time that it sent “a very powerful message to victims of grooming and sex offences.”
“This is a huge development and a big step for the King to take. I really support the decision,” she said.
The Royal Lodge controversy has drawn public attention to Andrew’s finances. Documents revealed that he paid a lump sum of over £8 million to the Crown Estate for renovation works in exchange for a 75-year lease, allowing him to live rent-free on the property.
The Grade II-listed home includes several cottages, a chapel, and security quarters.
Earlier this week, reports resurfaced that Andrew hosted Epstein at Royal Lodge in 2006, two months after a US arrest warrant was issued against the disgraced financier for child sex crimes. Andrew has not commented on the claim.
Thursday’s move marks an attempt by the Palace to close one of the most damaging chapters for the British monarchy, as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor begins life without royal status.
