In a move that has sent shockwaves through royal circles, King Charles has officially stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of all his remaining royal titles and honours — and ordered him to vacate his Windsor residence, Royal Lodge.
The decision, confirmed by Buckingham Palace, marks a defining moment in the ongoing fallout surrounding the Duke of York.
A Royal Title Removed
According to the palace’s statement, the King, 76, has “initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.”
From now on, the 65-year-old will be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, marking the end of his identity as a working or titled royal.
The statement went on to confirm that Andrew’s long-held lease at Royal Lodge — which had until now protected his right to remain there — has been officially terminated.
“Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation,” the statement said.
Palace Expresses Sympathy for Victims
The palace emphasized that while Andrew continues to deny all allegations against him, the decision was made in the public and moral interest.
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him,” the statement read.
In a rare moment of direct empathy, the King and Queen added: “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.”
Centuries-Old Titles Stripped Away
The move not only ends Andrew’s right to be called Prince but also removes his additional titles — Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh.
He will no longer be addressed as His Royal Highness, a style he had retained even after stepping back from public duties in 2019.
The honours he’s losing include some of Britain’s most prestigious: the Order of the Garter, the nation’s oldest order of chivalry, and the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, which recognises personal service to the monarch.
The King’s Protection of Beatrice and Eugenie
While this historic move completely strips Andrew of royal privilege, King Charles is said to have made a clear distinction when it comes to his nieces, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Both will keep their titles as Her Royal Highnesses, a decision said to have been made out of deep concern for their wellbeing and public roles.
“He wouldn’t have wanted to sign off on anything that would impact them,” a royal insider previously told the Daily Mail, adding that the King has always been protective of the late Queen’s granddaughters.
Sarah Ferguson Also Affected
Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who was once the Duchess of York, has also lost her right to use that royal style following Andrew’s decision to relinquish his titles last week.
Despite her close relationship with both Andrew and the royal family, this move officially severs her last symbolic tie to royal status.
A New Identity for a Fallen Prince
Just months ago, Andrew had managed to hold onto the title of Prince, as the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Now, even that has been taken away.
Buckingham Palace has made it clear that this is a formal and final step, signalling the complete removal of Andrew from royal life.
For now, the royal once known as “Prince Andrew, Duke of York” will simply be Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, a private citizen moving quietly out of Royal Lodge — the grand Windsor home he’s lived in for more than two decades.