King Charles III has stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of titles, styles, and honours—including Prince, Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, Baron Killyleagh, the style of His Royal Highness, and distinctions such as the Order of the Garter and the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order—due to his association with the Jeffrey Epstein case and the intense social and institutional pressure it generated.
Andrew must vacate the Royal Lodge and will be relocated to a residence on the Sandringham estate, with private funding from the monarch. This measure, delayed by legal and constitutional complexities, will be implemented through Royal Orders issued to the Lord Chancellor.
The royal statement emphasized that while Andrew denies the accusations, the Crown considers the censures "necessary" and expressed solidarity with victims and survivors of abuse. The Palace clarified that the Royal Lodge lease provided legal protection for residency, and following termination, the move will take place "as soon as possible."
Sarah Ferguson, Andrew's ex-wife, will seek a new residence following his departure from Royal Lodge. Next steps include defining eviction deadlines, relocation details, and the final scope of legal orders that will formalize the removal of titles and honours. The focus also shifts to potential parliamentary or judicial requests outside the UK. The measure aims to halt a sustained erosion on the figure of the King and the stability of the monarchy.
The decision does not affect the titles of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who retain them as granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth II. An unprecedented decision in the House of Windsor.
Revelations about Andrew's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell—including his hospitality at Royal Lodge—renewed calls to safeguard the institution's integrity. Andrew had some involvement in the Falklands War as a helicopter pilot. Buckingham Palace announced the termination of the Royal Lodge lease, located in Windsor Park. The evidence and testimonies are overwhelming. Political leaders from various parties have backed the decision, and recent polls reflect the former duke's unpopularity, especially among younger audiences.
