In a historic and unprecedented decision, King Charles III has stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal titles and honours, marking one of the most dramatic royal disciplinary actions in modern British history. Buckingham Palace announced the decision on October 30, 2025, confirming that Andrew will no longer hold the style of “His Royal Highness” or the title of “Prince.” He will now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
The announcement from Buckingham Palace stated that the King made the decision following “serious lapses of judgement” by his brother. The statement also emphasized that the move was necessary “to preserve the integrity and reputation of the Crown,” while reiterating that Andrew continues to deny all allegations against him. Along with losing his titles, the Duke of York has also been ordered to vacate the Royal Lodge, his long-time residence on the Windsor estate, and move to a smaller property within the Sandringham estate under the King’s direction.
Prince Andrew’s royal downfall has been a slow but steady process since 2019, when his close ties to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein first came under scrutiny. His disastrous 2019 interview with the BBC’s Newsnight deepened the crisis, forcing him to step back from public duties. In 2022, he was stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages, but he continued to retain his princely title — until now.
This latest action was reportedly prompted by renewed public outrage following the release of Nobody’s Girl, a memoir by Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre. In the book, Giuffre described her alleged encounters with Prince Andrew when she was a teenager, accusing him of participating in Epstein’s trafficking network. Recently uncovered correspondence between Andrew and members of Epstein’s circle also suggested that he had maintained contact with them far longer than previously admitted, further fueling the scandal.
Royal sources indicate that both Prince William and Queen Camilla supported King Charles’s decision, underscoring the family’s desire to draw a firm line between the monarchy and Andrew’s controversies. The King’s move to formally revoke Andrew’s titles is considered highly unusual, with few precedents in British royal history. It demonstrates Charles’s determination to uphold accountability within the royal household and signals a modernizing monarchy less tolerant of misconduct, even among its most senior members.
Losing his titles means that Andrew can no longer use the style “His Royal Highness” or hold the Dukedom of York, the Earldom of Inverness, or the Barony of Killyleagh. His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, however, will retain their titles and royal status. Andrew’s eviction from Royal Lodge adds another layer of humiliation, as the property was his home for decades and symbolized his continued ties to royal privilege despite public disgrace.
Prince Andrew has not publicly commented on the latest developments, though reports suggest he will comply with the King’s orders. Friends close to him have said that he feels “devastated” but recognizes that resistance would only deepen the rift within the royal family. For now, he is expected to live quietly on the Sandringham estate, away from public view and without any formal royal role.
This decision marks a turning point for the British monarchy. It reflects a shift toward transparency and responsibility, especially in an age when public trust in royal institutions is fragile. By removing his brother’s titles, King Charles has sent a clear message that the monarchy will not shield its members from accountability — no matter their rank or relationship to the throne.
For many observers, this is more than a royal scandal; it is a symbolic moment in British history. It shows that privilege no longer guarantees protection from consequence, and that even a prince must answer for his choices. As one palace insider noted, “The King has made it clear — no one is above the Crown.”