King Charles has formally stripped his brother Prince Andrew of all royal titles and ordered his eviction from the Royal Lodge in Windsor, as part of ongoing efforts to protect the monarchy’s reputation amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. In response, Andrew’s daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, have reportedly left the United Kingdom.
Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday that King Charles has initiated a “formal process to remove the style, titles and honours of Prince Andrew,” who will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The decision, supported by the Prince of Wales, comes after mounting pressure over Andrew’s association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre.
The royal family had been grappling with the reputational damage caused by Andrew’s ties to Epstein, which resurfaced with the publication of Giuffre’s posthumous memoir this month. In the book, she claimed that Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his birthright,” though he has consistently denied the allegations and settled a civil case with her for a reported £12 million without admitting liability.
As part of the measures, Andrew is being forced to surrender his lease on the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he has lived with a peppercorn rent. Formal notice was served on Thursday, and he will relocate to private accommodation on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, funded by the king. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also move out and arrange her own living arrangements.
The titles being removed include Prince, Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, Baron Killyleagh, and the style His Royal Highness, along with his honors such as the Order of the Garter. This action follows calls from Members of Parliament to strip Andrew of his dukedom and investigate his residence terms, but the king opted to handle it internally to avoid parliamentary distraction.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, as daughters of the son of a monarch, retain their royal titles under King George V’s 1917 letters patent. However, reports indicate that they have quietly left the UK, with sources describing them as “barely holding it together” amid the family turmoil. Their departure is seen as a move to avoid further media scrutiny.
Giuffre’s family released a statement commending the king’s decision, saying, “Today, she declares a victory,” and highlighting her courage in bringing accountability. They urged that Andrew should face further consequences, including potential testimony before US Congressional committees about his knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
Political figures in the UK have supported the move, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy calling it a “really brave, important and right step” that sends a “powerful message” to sexual abuse victims. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch acknowledged the difficulty for the king but emphasized the importance of not tolerating such allegations.
This development marks a significant step in the monarchy’s efforts to modernize and distance itself from scandals, potentially easing Prince William’s future accession. The focus now shifts to Andrew’s transition to private life and any further legal or investigative actions related to the Epstein case.