In a landmark announcement, King Charles III has formally initiated the removal of his brother’s royal titles — including his status as “Prince” — and ordered him to vacate his residence at Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate. The declaration by the Buckingham Palace states that Andrew will henceforth be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, and that formal notice has been served for him to surrender the lease on Royal Lodge and move into alternative private accommodation.
The decision emerges amid intensified scrutiny over Andrew’s longstanding ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the resurfacing of allegations documented in the memoir of Virginia Giuffre. According to the palace statement, “these censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”
Royal watchers describe the action as unusually sweeping — stripping a member of the British royal family of birthright style, major titles and a long-held residence. Royal commentary notes the move sends a clear signal about the monarchy’s willingness to act decisively when reputational risks arise.
Andrew is expected to relocate to a property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, privately funded under the King’s arrangement. Meanwhile, his former spouse, Sarah Ferguson, will also make her own separate living arrangements following the lease surrender at Royal Lodge.
From the palace’s perspective, the step aims to draw a line under years of mounting concern over Andrew’s position, associations and public profile — even as the palace reiterates its support for victims and survivors of abuse.
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