King Charles ousts brother Prince Andrew, ends his royal privileges

Britain's King Charles III made an unusual decision to strip Prince Andrew of his royal titles and privileges because of growing public and institutional pressure, driven by the controversy and scandal surrounding Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honors of Prince Andrew.” Statement from the palace 

On October 30, 2025, Buckingham Palace announced that the King had initiated a formal process to remove Prince Andrew’s style, titles and honors.

Andrew will no longer be known as “Prince Andrew” or styled “His Royal Highness. He will henceforth be referred to as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and is also being evicted from his residence at Royal Lodge, Windsor (the mansion near Windsor Castle he has leased). 

Formal notice has been served to surrender the lease and move to private accommodation.

“Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him,” a statement from the palace read. 

Prince Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein (convicted sex offender) and related allegations have long cast a shadow over his standing within the royal family and the public sphere.

After Epstein’s crimes became public, questions arose about Andrew’s own conduct and judgment, including allegations from one of Epstein’s victims (which Andrew has denied).

“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.”

This was called a rare decision because it is extremely uncommon for a senior member, especially the monarch’s own brother, to be publicly stripped of such honors. Royals almost never face such visible disciplinary actions.