Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles has officially stripped Prince Andrew’s royal titles and started the process to evict him from his Windsor residence, Royal Lodge. In an official statement released on Thursday, the palace confirmed that Andrew will now be known as Andrew MountbattenWindsor.
The king’s decision ends Andrew’s decades-long residence at Royal Lodge with a formal notice to relinquish his lease. The palace announced it would move to a property on the Sandringham Estate, with future accommodation to be funded by the monarch. The statement also highlights the King and Queen’s sympathy for “victims and survivors of all forms of abuse.”
Andrew’s dismissal follows years of controversy surrounding his association with Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual abuse made by Virginia Giuffre, which he continues to deny. Sources said the move required legal and constitutional input, with the government being consulted and senior royals – including the Prince of Wales – expressing their full support.
The action officially removes Andrew’s titles of Prince, Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, as well as his His Royal Highness style. His honours, including the Order of the Garter and the Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order, were also rescinded. His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their royal titles under King George V’s Letters Patent of 1917.
The move comes amid growing scrutiny of Andrew’s 75-year lease on Royal Lodge, signed in 2003, which allowed him to live there rent-free apart from a nominal “pepper” payment. Reports suggest the Crown Estate could owe compensation for surrendering the lease, although remedial works could affect any payments.
Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson – who recently gave up her title as Duchess of York – will make arrangements for separate accommodation. Royal commentators say the king’s landmark decision aims to restore public confidence in the monarchy after years of reputational strain caused by Andrew’s “serious errors of judgment.”
