King Charles strips brother Andrew of ‘prince’ title and evicts him from royal mansion

King Charles III has officially stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal title and ordered him to vacate his longtime residence at the Royal Lodge in Windsor. Buckingham Palace confirmed the decision in a statement released on Thursday.

The statement said that Andrew will no longer use the style “Prince Andrew” and will now be referred to as “Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.” The move also includes the removal of remaining royal privileges and honours previously retained by the Duke of York.

According to the palace, the King’s decision was made as part of an effort to uphold the integrity of the monarchy. “This step has been deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him,” the statement said. It also expressed sympathy for victims and survivors of abuse, reaffirming the Royal Family’s stance against all forms of misconduct.

Andrew, 65, had already been stripped of his military titles and royal patronages in 2022 after public backlash over his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He stepped back from public duties in 2019 and has since lived largely out of the public eye.

The latest development marks a significant escalation, as King Charles invoked his royal prerogative to formally remove Andrew’s titles and style a rare action within the British monarchy. Palace sources indicated that the King informed Andrew of the decision earlier this month before the public announcement.

Andrew is expected to leave the Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion he has occupied for decades, in the coming weeks. The property, located in Windsor Great Park, had been under a long-term lease, but the agreement has now been terminated. Reports suggest he will relocate to a smaller private residence, though details have not been confirmed.

Royal aides described the King’s decision as a matter of “duty and accountability,” highlighting that it aligns with the monarch’s broader efforts to modernize the royal institution and distance it from past controversies.

The removal of Andrew’s titles and eviction from his royal residence is being viewed as one of the most consequential disciplinary actions taken against a senior royal in recent history. It underscores King Charles’s commitment to protecting the reputation and credibility of the monarchy as he continues to shape its future.