The family of Prince Andrew’s accuser have hailed the King’s decision to remove his royal titles and have him leave his Windsor home after weeks of renewed scrutiny over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Now simply known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the former Duke of York will move from Royal Lodge to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk – with his future accommodation to be privately funded by the monarch.
As it happened: Andrew loses royal titles
Buckingham Palace announced the King had begun the “formal process” of removing his brother’s titles and honours, with notice served for him to surrender his lease, on Thursday night.
Royal historian Kate Williams told Sky News it was a “huge moment in world history”, with only two major previous examples where people have had such titles removed.
They were the daughters of Henry VIII – the latter queens Mary I and Elizabeth I – and British royals who fought in the German army during the First World War.
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‘An ordinary girl brought down a prince’
The family of Andrew’s accuser Virginia Giuffre, whose posthumous memoir published earlier this month brought her sexual assault allegations back into the spotlight, said “an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family, brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage”.
Ms Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year, has claimed that – as a teenager – she had sex with Andrew on three occasions after being trafficked by billionaire paedophile Epstein and his ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.
Andrew – who gave up his Duke of York title earlier this month – has always denied the claims. Ms Giuffre sued in 2021 and the case was settled outside court for a sum believed to have been around £12m.
Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for Ms Giuffre during the civil sex assault case, said she had “changed history”.
Andrew caused ‘real reputational damage’
The statement from Buckingham Palace made a point of sharing the King and Queen’s “thoughts and utmost sympathies” for the “victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse”.
The King took action due to serious lapses in Andrew’s judgement and has the support of the royal family, including the Prince of Wales, it is understood.
Sky News royal correspondent Laura Bundock said his associations “risked real reputational damage” to his family and the continued scrutiny was overshadowing their work.
Full analysis: Andrew finally pays the price
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Government backs ‘powerful’ move
Andrew has not objected to the process, which will see him officially stripped of titles including His Royal Highness. Honours impacted are his Order of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order.
Sarah Ferguson, who lost her Duchess of York title when Andrew gave up his other titles, will make her own living arrangements, but their children, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, will retain their titles.
The government is understood to have been consulted on the King’s decision and supported it. The culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, said it sent a “powerful message”.
“I really support the step that he’s taken,” Ms Nandy said on BBC Question Time.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also paid tribute to the King’s “very difficult” decision to move against his brother, while the Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, said Andrew had “disgraced his office”.
Regarding the practicalities of the decision, it’s understood Andrew will move out of Windsor as soon as practicable.
Read more: Everything we know about Andrew’s future
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Pressure remains over Epstein links
There is no sign of the pressure on Andrew subsiding, however, with calls from America for him to give evidence to Congress about his links to Epstein.
Democrat Suhas Subramanyam said: “He owes it to the victims to share everything he knows about Epstein’s criminal operation and come before the Oversight Committee.”
The release of the so-called “Epstein files” by the committee, revealing details about the sex offender’s various relationships, led to the downfall of Britain’s former US ambassador Lord Mandelson.
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It’s also continued to dog President Donald Trump. Like Lord Mandelson, he was named as having allegedly written notes for Epstein in a “birthday book” released by Congress in September.
Lord Mandelson has said he regrets his relationship with Epstein. Mr Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
