Getty
Prince Andrew’s voluntary renunciation of his Duke title has come too little, too late.
In an extraordinary move, King Charles announced on October 30 that he will now take formal measures to strip his brother of his royal titles.
This will see Andrew lose his Prince, Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh titles.
The difficult legal process to officially remove the 65-year-old’s royal titles is now underway.
“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew,” read a statement from Buckingham Palace.
The second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
The King has also served his younger brother with an eviction notice to get him out of Royal Lodge.
Despite criticism from the public that Andrew should be kicked out of his grace and favour mansion, he has stubbornly refused to budge, thanks to an iron clad long term lease which could see him reside there until 2078.
The British Times reported that he had not paid rent on his 30-room mansion for two decades, but had instead funded around $15 million in renovations.
“His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence,” said the statement from Buckingham Palace.
“Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.”
Despite negotiations to live at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, it is understood that Andrew’s new home will be one of the properties at Sandringham.
His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who had been living with him at Royal Lodge, will now have to make her own arrangements.
It is believed that Fergie has asked to move into Adelaide Cottage when the Prince and Princess of Wales move to Forest Lodge, but this is out of the question.
Their daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, will not be affected by the title change, remaining Princesses as they were born.
The announcement came weeks after it was announced that Andrew would no longer use his Duke of York title, with it being held in abeyance, but would remain a Prince, following renewed scrutiny on his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Emails between Andrew and Epstein that were published in the Daily Mail show they were in contact for much longer than he has previously admitted to.
“It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it,” Andrew is alleged to have written after a photo of him with his arm around a teenage Virginia Giuffre was first published in 2011.
“Otherwise keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!”
Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, where she details her alleged sexual encounters with the former prince, has also put pressure on the palace.
Andrew denies any allegations of wrongdoing.
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him,” the statement from the palace reiterated.
Read the palace statement about Prince Andrew in full…
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.
