By Desmond Nleya
King Charles has taken strong action against his brother, Prince Andrew, by removing all his royal titles and forcing him to leave his mansion at Windsor. The move is part of an effort to distance the royal family from Andrew’s long-standing scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender.
Buckingham Palace described the decision as “necessary censures,” marking one of the biggest rifts in the British royal family in decades. The goal, insiders say, is to protect the monarchy from further damage caused by Andrew’s past associations.
For more than 15 years, Prince Andrew, now 65, has faced public outrage over his friendship with Epstein. The controversy grew again after the release of a memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who had accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager.
Giuffre, who the prince insists he never met, tragically died by suicide earlier this year at the age of 41. Her family issued a statement saying:
“An ordinary American girl brought down a British prince with her truth and courage.”
Her brother, Sky Roberts, told CNN that it was both a “joyous and sad day,” saying his sister’s fight for justice had finally been recognized.
According to Buckingham Palace, Andrew will now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, losing the title “Prince.” His lease on Royal Lodge, his long-time residence within Windsor Great Park, has been terminated.
He is being relocated to a smaller home on the Sandringham Estate, which is privately owned by the King. The palace said Charles would personally fund his brother’s new living arrangements.
Although Andrew continues to deny all allegations, palace officials said the King concluded that Andrew had shown “serious lapses of judgment.”
End of an Era
King Charles will issue royal warrants to remove all of Andrew’s titles, including Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh, along with his knighthoods. The action takes immediate effect.
In a rare statement, the palace added:
“Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies remain with the victims and survivors of all forms of abuse.”
Despite losing his titles, Andrew remains eighth in line to the British throne, although removing him from the line of succession would require legislation approved by all Commonwealth nations — a lengthy process.
Growing Public Anger
Public criticism of Andrew has been intense. People were especially upset to learn that he bought Royal Lodge for $1 million in 2003 and has paid almost no rent since then. Many have questioned how he could afford to settle Giuffre’s civil lawsuit for millions in 2022, given he stopped being a working royal in 2019.
The campaign group Republic, which wants to abolish the monarchy, announced plans to launch a private prosecution against Andrew for alleged sexual misconduct.
“Losing silly titles is not justice,” said Republic’s leader, Graham Smith. “We need to see Andrew face the law like anyone else.”
Family Impact
Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who has lived with him at Royal Lodge for 20 years, will also move out and is said to be arranging her own accommodation. Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will keep their royal titles since they are the daughters of a sovereign’s son.
Historical Context
This is the first time in more than a century that a British prince has been stripped of his title. The last was in 1917, when Prince Charles Edward lost his title as Duke of Albany for fighting on Germany’s side during World War I.
King Charles’ decision — supported by the UK government — sends a clear message: the monarchy will no longer protect members who bring shame to the royal family.
