King Charles III is stripping his younger brother Andrew of his royal titles and ousting him from his long-term residence on the Windsor estate, the palace said on Thursday, the latest fallout to hit the scandal-plagued royal over the Jeffrey Epstein affair.
“Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,” Buckingham Palace said, adding Charles had begun the formal process to remove all his brother’s titles.
Andrew has also been told to move out of his longtime home on Windsor Castle’s sprawling grounds, and he will move “to alternative private accommodation” as soon as possible.
The announcement followed a torrent of outrage at renewed accusations of sexual assault made by one of Jeffrey Epstein’s main accusers against the 65-year-old, who has denied the charges.
“These censures are deemed necessary, even though he continues to deny the allegations against him,” the palace said.
“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any forms of abuse,” it added.
It comes days after the posthumous publication of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, in which the victim of US sex offender Epstein reiterated in shocking detail allegations that she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew three times, including twice when she was only 17.
It is understood that Andrew did not object to the king’s decision and that the UK government has been consulted.
Giuffre took her own life in April, aged 41, while Epstein died by suicide in 2019 in prison while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
Giuffre’s family, which had pushed for Andrew’s title of prince to be removed, hailed the move Thursday, saying in a statement to the BBC that “today, she declares a victory.”
Andrew, however, had dug his heels in and was reportedly only prepared to leave the Royal Lodge if he could move into Frogmore Cottage, the former home of his nephew Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan.
Andrew was also reportedly demanding that Ferguson be allowed to move into Adelaide Cottage once it is vacated by William and his family.
It was understood on Thursday that Andrew will move to the King’s estate in Sandringham, eastern Norfolk, and will be privately funded by Charles.
Ferguson will make her own arrangements. His daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, will retain their titles as princesses.
