Prince Andrew stripped of all royal titles

Buckingham Palace has formally removed all royal titles from Prince Andrew and ordered him to surrender the lease on Royal Lodge, ending his use of the Duke of York style and other peerages. He will no longer be styled “Prince” and will be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The 65‑year‑old, who stepped back from public duties in 2019 and previously lost military affiliations and royal patronages, is to relocate from the 30‑room Windsor residence to private accommodation on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk; officials say logistical details and timing will be managed privately.

The palace framed the decision as necessary “notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him,” citing Andrew’s continued association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and related controversies. The move follows a 2022 out‑of‑court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her as a teenager; Giuffre later died by suicide, and her posthumous memoir included renewed allegations. Recent publication of correspondence between Andrew and Epstein — in which Andrew suggested they “keep in close touch” — intensified scrutiny. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

The announcement included an expression of sympathy for victims and survivors of abuse. It effectively severs Andrew’s remaining formal ties to the institution: beyond the loss of titles, he already had no official royal duties and had been stripped of military roles and patronages in prior years. The enforced relocation from Royal Lodge underscores the length to which the palace is prepared to act to limit reputational damage and distance the monarchy from scandal.

Commentators and royal watchers called the action one of the most dramatic and unprecedented sanctions against a senior royal in modern history. Analysts say it signals a hardening approach by the monarchy toward conduct viewed as damaging to public confidence, and could set a precedent for stricter limits on the privileges and residences of royals who are seen to pose reputational risk.

The royal household declined to give a timeline for Andrew’s move and said further arrangements would be handled away from public scrutiny. The severing of his titles and lease leaves Andrew with a markedly reduced public profile and private status within the royal family, closing a chapter that had already seen his official duties curtailed and his public reputation severely diminished.