King Charles Revokes Prince Andrew’s Title, Orders Him to Leave Royal Mansion over Epstein Scandal

London, Oct 31 — Britain’s King Charles has formally initiated proceedings to strip his brother Prince Andrew of royal titles and ordered him to vacate his Windsor residence, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday (local time).

The decision follows renewed public scrutiny of the 65 year old Duke of York’s association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sparked by the release of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, Nobody’s Girl. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at age 41, had accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her as a teenager  allegations he has consistently denied, CNN reported.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said:

“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew. He will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.”

The Palace added that Andrew’s lease on Royal Lodge, which had provided him legal protection to continue residing there, has now been terminated, and he will move to alternative private accommodation.

According to reports, Andrew will relocate to a property on King Charles’s privately owned Sandringham estate, with the transition to be privately funded by the King and implemented “as soon as practicable.”

Titles and Peerages to Be Revoked

Palace officials said the King’s decision was made despite Andrew’s continued denials, citing “serious lapses of judgment” on his part. Sources told CNN that King Charles will revoke Andrew’s peerages associated with York, Inverness, and Killyleagh through royal warrants, avoiding the need for parliamentary approval.

Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their royal titles under King George V’s 1917 decree, which grants such honors to the children of a sovereign’s sons.

Government Support and Public Reaction

Buckingham Palace confirmed that the British government had been consulted and “fully supports” the monarch’s decision.

“Their Majesties 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 statement read.

Earlier this month, reports suggested that Prince Andrew had privately offered to relinquish his titles to quell public criticism — an attempt that failed to ease outrage over his ties to Epstein.

Questions continue over how Andrew financed a multimillion-dollar settlement to Giuffre in 2022 and maintained his lifestyle despite stepping down from royal duties in 2019.

Public anger intensified after reports revealed Andrew had paid just USD 1 million for his Royal Lodge mansion in 2003 and continued to occupy it at a symbolic peppercorn rent.

During a recent royal engagement in northwest England, King Charles was heckled by a protester shouting, “How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein?”  a moment that underscored growing frustration over the scandal.

Giuffre Family’s Response

Following the announcement, Virginia Giuffre’s family released a statement saying:

“Our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability… Today, she declares victory.”

They added that they would “not rest until the same accountability applies to all abusers and abettors connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.”