For over ten years, Prince Andrew, brother to King Charles III, has been embroiled in controversy due to his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, casting a long shadow over the British royal family. In a decisive move this Thursday, King Charles III has taken steps to put an end to this ongoing scandal, stripping Andrew of his remaining royal titles and requiring him to vacate his longtime residence.
Here’s a breakdown of the King’s recent decisions and what lies ahead for Andrew and his family.
Why the Sudden Change?
Andrew’s association with Epstein has been a source of scandal for years. In 2022, he reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse when she was a teenage victim of Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied these allegations and any wrongdoing.
However, the recent publication of Ms. Giuffre’s posthumous memoir this month—she tragically passed away in April—made Andrew’s position within the royal circle increasingly impossible to maintain.
Public sentiment had grown overwhelmingly negative towards Andrew in recent weeks, with several lawmakers publicly demanding that he be stripped of his royal honors.
Discussion surrounding Andrew had begun to overshadow other royal engagements, even creating negative headlines on the day King Charles, as the nominal head of the Church of England, prayed alongside Pope Leo at the Vatican – a moment of profound symbolism between the two Christian leaders. During a recent public outing, the King was even heckled by a member of the public regarding his brother.
Reflecting the public’s mood, the audience of a BBC discussion show spontaneously applauded Thursday night upon hearing the news of Andrew’s title removal.
What Exactly Has Andrew Lost?
Andrew, now 65, will no longer be known as a prince. Instead, he will be addressed as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The surname Mountbatten Windsor was established in 1960, combining the family names of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip upon their marriage.
He will also forfeit other royal designations, including Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh. Furthermore, he loses the right to be called ‘His Royal Highness,’ an honorific he had already agreed to cease using after a previous royal reprimand in 2022. The ceremonial honors of the Order of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order are also being removed.
Andrew had already relinquished the title of Duke of York earlier in October.
While he will technically remain eighth in line to the throne despite losing his titles, there is no realistic possibility of him ever becoming monarch.
Andrew will also be required to move out of his home at Royal Lodge in Windsor, a 30-room Georgian mansion situated on 98 acres, which has been his residence since 2003.
Where Will He Live?
Andrew’s future living expenses will now be covered by the King. He is anticipated to reside on the privately-owned royal estate in Sandringham, Norfolk.
What is the Process for Removing a Prince’s Title?
The King will issue royal warrants, which are legal documents requiring his signature to authorize specific public actions, to Britain’s justice minister and lord chancellor, David Lammy. These warrants will request that Mr. Lammy remove the title of prince and the honorific ‘His Royal Highness’ from the Peerage Roll, the official register of royal and aristocratic titles in Britain. This change is not expected to require parliamentary legislation.
What Happens to Andrew’s Daughters?
Both Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, will retain their titles as princesses. They will also maintain their positions in the line of succession — ninth and 12th, respectively — in accordance with King George V’s Letters Patent of 1917, as they are the daughters of a sovereign’s son.
What are Letters Patent?
These are official legal documents authorized by the monarch, typically on ministerial advice, used for making public appointments or conferring honors. They are officially sealed with the Great Seal of the Realm, the monarch’s official emblem.
What About Andrew’s Ex-Wife?
Andrew’s former wife, Sarah Ferguson, 66, who also lived at Royal Lodge in Windsor, will now move out and will no longer receive financial support from the royal family. Ms. Ferguson, who divorced Andrew in 1996 but remained on good terms with her ex-husband, ceased to be a duchess when Andrew lost the use of his Duke of York title.