Prince Andrew is to lose his “prince” title and vacate his Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, following weeks of heightened scrutiny over his links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement released Thursday night, Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles’ younger brother will now be formally known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The announcement marks the most dramatic step yet in the palace’s efforts to distance the monarchy from the scandal surrounding the 64-year-old royal.
Andrew surrendered his remaining royal titles earlier this month, including the Duke of York, after renewed attention on his private conduct and long-standing associations with Epstein.
The latest developments follow fresh allegations contained in a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre, published earlier this month. Giuffre reaffirmed claims that, as a teenager, she had sex with Andrew on three occasions, allegations he has repeatedly and firmly denied.
Royal aides say Andrew will leave Royal Lodge “in due course,” though no specific timeline has been given. The residence has been his primary home for more than two decades.
The move underscores the continuing fallout from the Epstein scandal and signals the King’s determination to protect the reputation of the monarchy amid ongoing public scrutiny.
