In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through the British monarchy, King Charles III has formally initiated proceedings to strip Prince Andrew of all his royal titles and evict him from his Windsor mansion, Buckingham Palace announced Thursday (October 30, 2025).
Prince Andrew will now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, losing not only his prince title but also his designation as Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh. The decision marks one of the most dramatic falls from grace in modern royal history.
The palace statement delivered a striking message: “These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.” The move comes amid mounting public outrage over Andrew’s well-documented association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Beyond losing his titles, Andrew must surrender his lease to the Royal Lodge, the 30-room Windsor mansion where he has resided for more than two decades. The Times of London recently revealed that Andrew had paid only “one peppercorn” per year for the property — essentially nothing — despite having stepped back from royal duties years ago. He will move to “private accommodation” on the royal family’s Sandringham estate.
The timing of King Charles’s decision follows the recent publication of Virginia Giuffre‘s posthumous memoir, which detailed explosive allegations against Andrew. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was 17 years old. Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in February 2022 for an undisclosed sum, though he has consistently denied all allegations.
Following Thursday’s announcement, Giuffre’s family released a powerful statement: “Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family, brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.”
It is almost unprecedented for a British prince to be stripped of that title, last happening in 1919 when Prince Ernest Augustus lost his British title for siding with Germany during World War I.
Meanwhile, the palace emphasized that “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.”
While Andrew loses everything, his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will retain their titles. The British government was consulted on the decision and has publicly supported the king’s actions.
The statement from Buckingham Palace in full:
His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honours of Prince Andrew.
Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence.
Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.
These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.
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.
