King Charles has decided to strip his brother Andrew of his remaining titles and privileges and expel him from Buckingham Palace, a statement from the palace revealed on Thursday. The move follows mounting pressure to address Andrew’s association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to the statement, Andrew has been formally served notice to give up the lease of his residence, Royal Lodge, and relocate to alternative private housing. He will now be referred to as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor instead of a prince.
The decision to remove Andrew from Royal Lodge comes after he voluntarily relinquished his title of Duke of York earlier this month due to his ties to Epstein and allegations made by one of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Furthermore, King Charles has revoked Andrew’s prince title, which he held since birth as the child of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Despite Andrew’s denial of the allegations against him, the palace stated that these actions were necessary, with the monarchs expressing their support for the victims of abuse. This move is nearly unprecedented in British royal history, with the last similar incident dating back to 1919.
The announcement of Andrew’s removal was made during a broadcast of the BBC’s Question Time, where the audience reacted with applause to the news. The public pressure surrounding Andrew’s scandals has been a significant challenge for King Charles, marking a critical moment in his reign.
Andrew, who remains eighth in line to the throne, can only be removed from the line of succession through parliamentary action, requiring approval from the 14 countries where King Charles holds sway. His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their titles as they are descendants of a sovereign.
Following his departure from Royal Lodge, Andrew is expected to relocate to a property on the King’s Sandringham estate and receive financial assistance from his brother. The process of formally stripping Andrew of his titles is not expected to be immediate, but efforts are being made to expedite the proceedings.
The palace’s decision reflects King Charles’s proactive and modern approach to monarchy, as noted by royal historian Justin Vovk. The move signifies a departure from traditional royal protocol and emphasizes the need for swift resolution in handling the situation.