King Charles III has formally begun the process of removing his younger brother Prince Andrew’s royal titles and has instructed him to vacate his long-term residence on the Windsor estate, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday. Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

The decision follows renewed outrage over sexual assault allegations linked to Andrew’s past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Buckingham Palace stated that the measures were necessary, despite Andrew’s denial of the allegations.

“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,” the palace said.

The move comes days after the posthumous release of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, in which she claimed she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew multiple times as a minor. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2025, had previously settled a civil sexual assault case against Andrew in 2022.

Andrew will move to the Sandringham estate, privately funded by King Charles. Ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will make separate arrangements, while his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their titles.

Public outrage has grown in recent days, partly due to revelations that Andrew paid minimal rent for two decades on Royal Lodge, his Windsor residence, and hosted Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and former US producer Harvey Weinstein there in 2006 for Princess Beatrice’s 18th birthday.

The palace confirmed that the UK government had been consulted and that Andrew did not object to the king’s decision.

Reuters