King Charles III strips Prince Andrew of all royal titles, evicts him from royal residence, marking historic move to distance monarchy from Epstein-linked scandal
Prince Andrew will also vacate the royal residence and move into private accommodation, three years after he was removed from senior royal duties over his ties to American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the palace said.
“These censorships are deemed necessary even though he continues to deny the allegations against him,” Buckingham Palace said in the announcement. he said. “Her Majesty wishes to make it clear that her thoughts and utmost sympathies remain with the victims and survivors of all forms of abuse.”
Although the former Duke of York continues to deny any involvement with the disgraced sex offender, he has previously admitted that the royal family was distracted by the controversy surrounding him.
“In discussions with the King and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded that the ongoing allegations against me are a distraction from the work of Her Majesty and the Royal Family. As I have always done, I have decided to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to step away from public life,” Andrew said in a statement shared by Buckingham Palace. he said.
In 2022, Andrew’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth removed him from his patronages and military duties, effectively making him royal persona non grata. This action follows the conclusion of a sexual abuse lawsuit filed against him by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who tragically died by suicide in Australia earlier this year. Since then, he has only appeared publicly at family events, including his parents’ funerals, and most recently at the funeral of Britain’s Duchess Katharine of Kent in September. “This takes up valuable Parliament time and prevents Parliament from focusing on pressing national issues. The King is doing what he can within his Royal Prerogative.” Buckingham Palace said.
