RIGHT NOW: Throws out Andrew – gets rid of his title

Royal

Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew loses his title

Emil Forsberg

Updated 20.47 | Published 20.06

 

Formerly known as Prince Andrew, now he will be Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. Photo: Aaron Chown/AP

Prince Andrew loses his title, Buckingham Palace says.

From now on, he will be called Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

– It is a very surprising decision from King Charles, says Aftonbladet's court expert Jenny Alexandersson.

"His Majesty has today begun a formal process to remove Prince Andrew's titles and honors," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

Andrew recently announced that he is giving up his royal titles after reports of his association with convicted pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

Last week, Virginia Giuffre's memoir was published, in which she shared her horrific experiences with Epstein and the British prince. Giuffre, who was a major plaintiff in the Epstein case, was found dead this spring on her farm in Australia.

"She lost her life by suicide after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking," her family said in a statement.

 

King Charles takes the reins. Photo: Cecilia Fabiano/AP

"Drastic decision"

It is the first time in over 100 years that a senior member of the royal family has stopped using a ducal title. The last time this happened was when Queen Victoria's grandson, the Duke of Albany, was stripped of his title in 1917 for fighting on the side of the Germans during World War I.

- It is a very surprising decision by King Charles. Today, a prince or princess title is considered a birthright. It takes a lot before a regent makes such a drastic decision and removes a title. Prince Andrew has been dogged by big headlines surrounding Epstein and allegations of sexual misconduct. It was the nail in the coffin for the scandalous prince, says court expert Jenny Alexandersson.

The ex-prince will now move from the royal cottage to a property in Sandringham in Norfolk that will be privately financed by the British king, writes the BBC.

 

The Royal Lodge (the royal cottage) is located in Windsor and has 30 rooms and a large park. Photo: TT