King Charles has reportedly begun a formal process to remove Prince Andrew’s remaining royal titles, marking another major step in distancing the monarchy from the scandal surrounding the Duke of York.

The move comes as Andrew prepares to vacate his 30-room residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the development in an official statement, saying the King had “initiated a formal process” to strip Andrew of his titles, honors, and royal styling.

Buckingham Palace Confirms Major Action

The statement issued on Thursday read:
“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.

“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.

“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 announcement follows Andrew’s own statement earlier this month, in which he revealed that he would no longer use his Duke of York title.

Where Prince Andrew Will Live Next

According to ITV, despite Andrew’s ongoing denials of wrongdoing, palace officials believe there have been “serious lapses of judgment.” As part of the new arrangement, Andrew will move to a property on the Sandringham Estate.

Reports suggest any future housing will be privately funded by King Charles. Meanwhile, Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who has been living with him at Royal Lodge, is also expected to relocate and make her own living arrangements.

It’s understood the decision to evict Andrew and revoke his titles was made by the King with the backing of Prince William.

Commentators Call the Move “Ruthless”

Royal experts have described King Charles’s actions as unprecedented. Commentator Jennie Bond told GB News:
“I’ve been reporting on the royal family for more than three decades, including Diana’s death, and this is a crisis beyond anything I’ve covered before.

“King Charles is not a ruthless man, but this, you have to say, is ruthless action.”

The decision comes less than two weeks after Andrew announced he would relinquish his Duke of York title, saying:
“In discussion with the King and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.”

He continued:
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”

The Scandal That Still Shadows Andrew

The renewed scrutiny comes after the release of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, in which she repeated allegations that she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17, after being trafficked by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Giuffre had sued Andrew in 2021, accusing him of sexual assault. The case was settled out of court in early 2022 for an undisclosed amount. Andrew has consistently stated that the settlement was not an admission of guilt.

He has always strongly denied all allegations and has maintained that he severed ties with Epstein in 2010. However, leaked emails from February 2011 appeared to contradict that claim, showing Andrew allegedly telling Epstein, “We are in this together” and “we’ll play some more soon.”

With this latest move from King Charles, it seems the royal family is drawing a firm line between itself and one of its most controversial members.