Prince Andrew has been formally stripped of his royal titles and honors, marking the latest step in his ongoing separation from the working Royal Family. The move comes less than two weeks after he voluntarily agreed to stop using his Duke of York title, multiple sources reported.
According to a statement released by Buckingham Palace on October 30, King Charles III has formally removed Prince Andrew’s “style, titles, and honours.” The decision means the 65-year-old will now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, according to The Independent.
The titles affected include Prince, Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh. He has also lost the right to use the style “His Royal Highness.” In addition, his honors (including the Order of the Garter and the Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order) have been revoked.
“These censures are deemed necessary,” Buckingham Palace said in its statement, “notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”
The palace added 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.”
Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied Virginia Giuffre's allegations against him. Credit: WPA Pool / Getty Images.
As part of the changes, Prince Andrew will also be required to leave his longtime residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor. NBC News reports that he will relocate to a property on King Charles’ Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who has also been living at Royal Lodge, is expected to make her own separate living arrangements.
Family of Virginia Giuffre Respond
The family of Andrew's accuser, Virginia Giuffre, have applauded the decision, saying she “brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage”.
The family said she “never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and countless other survivors like her”.
“Today, she declares a victory. We, her family, along with her survivor sisters, continue Virginia's battle and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of her abusers and abetters, connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.”
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Credit: Patrick McMullan / Getty Images.
Step Comes Amid Ongoing Fallout from Epstein Allegations
Buckingham Palace noted that the latest measures are connected to the continuing public fallout from allegations linking Andrew to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied all accusations of sexual misconduct. In a statement released earlier this month, he said the “continued accusations” against him had become a distraction from the work of King Charles and the wider Royal Family.
“As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me,” he stated on October 17, when he first announced he would relinquish his titles.
Background of the Virginia Giuffre Lawsuit
The allegations against Andrew largely stem from claims made by Virginia Giuffre, who filed a lawsuit in 2021 alleging that Epstein had trafficked her to the prince when she was 17 years old.
Prince Andrew denied ever meeting Giuffre and settled the lawsuit in 2022 without admitting liability. In a 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, he said: “I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady. None whatsoever.” The former prince also infamously stated during that interview that he did not sweat as a reason to dispute Giuffre's claim that he was "sweating profusely" during sexual intercourse.
Giuffre, who later withdrew from public life, died by suicide earlier this year at the age of 41.
Previous Actions by Queen Elizabeth II
Before her death in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II had already stripped her second son of his military roles and royal patronages. In a January 2022 statement, Buckingham Palace announced that Andrew’s affiliations had been “returned to the Queen” and that he would “continue not to undertake any public duties.”
At the time, the palace emphasized that he was “defending this case as a private citizen,” signaling a clear boundary between his personal legal issues and the institution of the monarchy.
Now, with King Charles’ latest action, that separation appears to be complete. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will retain no formal royal status, titles, or ceremonial roles; a rare and historic step for a senior member of the British royal family.