FILE PHOTO: Britain’s Prince Andrew leaves Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony of Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla, in London, Britain May 6, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool/File Photo
King Charles III initiated a formal process to remove titles and honors from his brother Andrew on Thursday, October 30, 2025, in London. The decision affects the former prince, aged 65, due to associations with Jeffrey Epstein, a financier convicted of sex trafficking. Buckingham Palace notified Andrew to vacate Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion in Berkshire.
The official statement highlights that the measures aim to preserve the integrity of the British monarchy. Andrew, second son of Queen Elizabeth II, will now be known solely as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. He will relocate to private accommodations on the Sandringham estate in eastern England.
The action takes place while Charles continues treatment for cancer diagnosed in February 2024. Royal affairs experts note that the step reinforces separation from past controversies.
Epstein links drive royal measures
Andrew’s closeness to Epstein gained attention after recent publications of 2011 correspondence. In those documents, Andrew suggested maintaining close contact with the financier, already under investigation for abuses.
Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial, linked Andrew to allegations of improper conduct. Despite Andrew’s denials, the case intensified with the 2022 out-of-court settlement involving Virginia Giuffre, one of the victims, who passed away in April 2025.
Buckingham Palace emphasized solidarity with abuse victims. The royal family seeks to mitigate damage to the institutional image, according to close sources.
Andrew’s military and diplomatic history
Andrew served as a Royal Navy officer during the Falklands War in 1982, piloting anti-submarine helicopters. His performance initially earned recognition as a respected public figure.
In 2011, he stepped down from the role of UK trade ambassador following criticism of his international friendships. The episode marked the start of questions about his judgment in diplomatic matters.
Two years later, in 2019, Andrew suspended public royal duties. The decision followed a television interview where he defended his relationship with Epstein, which increased public scrutiny.
Judicial settlement and financial repercussions
Virginia Giuffre accused Andrew of sexual abuse when she was 17, in a lawsuit filed in 2021 in the United States. The case ended with a confidential payment from Andrew, estimated in millions of pounds, without admission of guilt.
Reports indicate Andrew invested around 7.5 million pounds in Royal Lodge renovations since 2002. However, he did not cover rent for two decades, according to reviewed palace contracts.
- Payment to Giuffre: undisclosed amount, but sources point to 12 million pounds.
- Mansion renovations: funded privately, without royal reimbursement.
- Maintenance costs: borne by taxpayers until the eviction notice.
A British parliamentary committee questioned on Wednesday, the 29th, Andrew’s continued occupancy of the public property.
Family support for Charles’s decision
Palace sources confirm Charles consulted family members before the action. Prince William, heir to the throne, expressed full agreement with the measures.
Queen Camilla and other close relatives endorsed the step, aiming for institutional stability. Andrew, isolated since 2022, lost military patronages and honors such as Knight of the Order of the Garter.
The process uses royal prerogative, avoiding legislative intervention. This allows swift title removal without parliamentary debate, focused on urgent national issues.
Move to Sandringham and uncertain future
Andrew must transfer to a house on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The relocation, privately funded, will occur in weeks, per the statement.
Royal Lodge, built in 1679, previously served as residence for queen consorts. Its release opens space for official crown use.
The former Duke of York, now without privileges, maintains denial of the accusations. He resides with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who has not commented publicly.
Precedents in the British monarchy
In 1936, King Edward VIII abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson, a divorcee. He retained the title of Duke of Windsor but faced social exile from the family.
Similar cases, like Wallis’s, illustrate how monarchs prioritize the institution over personal ties. Experts compare Charles’s action to these historical interventions to preserve legitimacy.
Andrew, born in 1960, saw his trajectory reverse from war hero to controversial figure. The 2025 decision marks a definitive chapter in his royal association.
