King Charles Strips Prince Andrew of Royal Titles and Orders Mansion Eviction Over Epstein Connections

King Charles has officially stripped his brother Andrew of his royal titles and has ordered him to leave his Windsor mansion, according to an announcement from Buckingham Palace on Thursday. This decisive action aims to distance the royal family from Andrew's connections to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Andrew, 65, who is Charles' younger brother and Queen Elizabeth's second son, has faced increasing scrutiny over his behavior and association with the late sex offender Epstein. Earlier this month, he was already forced to stop using his Duke of York title.

The King has now taken more severe measures by removing all of Andrew's titles, leaving him to be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

According to the Buckingham Palace statement, Andrew has been formally notified to surrender the lease of his Royal Lodge mansion on the Windsor Estate west of London. He will relocate to private accommodation on the Sandringham estate in eastern England.

This decision by King Charles, who continues to receive regular cancer treatment, represents one of the most dramatic actions against a royal family member in modern British history.

The Palace emphasized that "These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him," adding that "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."

Andrew was once considered a distinguished naval officer who served in the military during the Falklands War with Argentina in the early 1980s.

However, his reputation has progressively deteriorated, beginning with his resignation from a UK trade ambassador role in 2011. He subsequently stepped down from all royal duties in 2019 and was stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages in 2022 amid sexual misconduct allegations that he has consistently denied.

That same year, Andrew settled a lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who passed away in April, which accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager. Andrew has always denied these claims, which have recently garnered renewed attention following the release of Giuffre's memoir.

In her book, Giuffre claimed that an "entitled" Andrew believed it was his birthright to have sexual relations with her.

Earlier this month, correspondence between Andrew and Epstein from 2011, published by British newspapers, revealed Andrew telling Epstein they should "keep in close touch" and that they would "play some more soon."

A palace source indicated that while Andrew continues to deny the accusations, it was evident that serious lapses in judgment had occurred. The source confirmed that the decision was made by Charles with the support of the wider royal family, including heir-to-the-throne Prince William.

The eviction from Windsor carries additional significance after reports emerged that Andrew had not paid rent on his 30-room mansion for two decades, following initial payments for renovations.

In an unusual political intervention regarding royal affairs, a British parliamentary committee questioned on Wednesday whether Andrew should continue residing in the property.

Polls indicate that public support for the royal family among younger generations has been declining for years. Charles, backed by 43-year-old William, has taken action to protect the institution, which experts maintain is any monarch's primary responsibility.

This situation recalls historical precedent: In 1936, Edward VIII was forced to abdicate shortly after becoming king so he could marry an American divorcée. Though he retained his Duke of Windsor title, he was largely exiled from Britain.