Prince Andrew stripped of titles amid Epstein fallout

King Charles III announced today that he is stripping his brother, Prince Andrew, of all royal titles and honors.

The monarch of the United Kingdom made the move due to allegations of sexual abuse from the late Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre. Though Andrew has denied all wrongdoing, Charles still felt it necessary to revoke his royal status. The former prince will be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, going forward.

“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honors of Prince Andrew,” a statement from Buckingham Palace read. “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.”

The announcement comes shortly after Andrew gave up the title of Duke of York, hoping to end the “distraction” his scandal caused. The former prince stepped away from public duties in 2019 following a lawsuit from Giuffre. He settled that lawsuit for a reported £12 million, but never admitted any wrongdoing.

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

With the removal of his honors and titles, Andrew must also leave the royal residence. Andrew is the first prince to be stripped of his title since 1919, when Prince Ernest Augustus lost his British titles for siding with Germany in World War I.