In a dramatic escalation of the fallout from longstanding controversy, Prince Andrew will be stripped of his royal titles and required to vacate his residence at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, the Buckingham Palace announced. The process, initiated by King Charles III, is described as “formal” and will see Andrew designated henceforth as “Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.”
The palace statement confirms that Andrew’s lease on the 30-room Royal Lodge, currently located on the grounds of the Windsor Great Park, has been terminated and formal notice served for him to surrender it. The move signals that he must move to alternative private accommodation “as soon as practicable,” reportedly to a property on the private Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with living provision to be privately funded by the king.
The action comes amid mounting concern within the royal household over reputational damage tied to Prince Andrew’s associations with the late convicted sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein, and longstanding allegations of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed in a posthumous memoir that Andrew believed sex with her was his “birthright.” Although Andrew has repeatedly denied the accusations and settled a civil suit with Giuffre for £12 million without admission of liability, the palace said the measure was necessary “notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations.”
The titles to be stripped include his status as “His Royal Highness,” the titles of Prince and Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, as well as major honours such as the Order of the Garter and the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. Although he had already ceased using the HRH style in 2022, this marks the formal removal.
In announcing the decision, the palace expressed solidarity with victims and survivors of abuse, stating that the king and queen “wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.” The family of Giuffre responded by declaring the action a “victory” and praising the precedent set, with her brother describing Andrew’s removal as overdue.
The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the king’s decision as very difficult but necessary, while the culture secretary Lisa Nandy called it a “really brave, important and right step,” suggesting it sends a “powerful message” to victims of sexual abuse. Meanwhile, US lawmakers continue to press for Andrew to testify about his links to Epstein and his partner Ghislaine Maxwell, with one congressman stating, “Andrew owes it to the victims to share everything he knows.”
This move by the monarch underscores internal royal acknowledgment that while Andrew remains a family member, his previous role and official status are no longer tenable given the ongoing public and parliamentary scrutiny. The process of removing the peerage and dukedom is expected via royal warrants sent to the Lord Chancellor, aligning with government support for the decision and avoiding further distraction from wider parliamentary business.
The eviction and title-stripping of Prince Andrew mark a significant moment for the British monarchy, reflecting a shift toward accountability even within its highest ranks and signalling that reputation management and institutional integrity are now driving decisions at the very top of the royal household.
