Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Prince Andrew will lose his “prince” title and vacate his home at Royal Lodge in Windsor, marking a dramatic fall in his royal standing. Under the new arrangement, he will be styled Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, shedding not only his princely status but also the Duke of York title and other honors he had once held.
The Palace’s statement emphasized that the decision comes as a result of “serious lapses in judgment,” amid continuing scrutiny of his private associations — particularly his links to Jeffrey Epstein — though Andrew continues to deny wrongdoing.
The move is not entirely sudden: Andrew had already relinquished several of his royal titles earlier in the month, including Duke of York, in what was largely seen as a prelude to further stripping of honors.
The Palace has now initiated the formal process to remove all his royal styles, titles, and honors, indicating that the changes are backed by King Charles III, who is central to this restructuring. Alongside losing titles, Andrew has been given formal notice to surrender the lease on Royal Lodge and move to alternative private accommodation.
Royal Lodge itself has a complex history tied to Andrew. In 2003 he was granted a 75-year lease by the Crown Estate for Royal Lodge and related land, on condition of extensive renovations (estimated at £7.5 million) and with a nominal “peppercorn rent” stipulated in the lease.
After failing public duties in 2019 (around the time the Epstein scandal escalated), Andrew’s ties to royal patronages and official roles were largely severed. As of 2025, Andrew himself announced he would stop using his royal honors, saying that the continued accusations distracted from the King’s and the monarchy’s work.
One of the driving forces behind this decisive change appears to be the reputational risk and ongoing controversies tied to Andrew’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Over the years, those connections have resulted in legal actions and public condemnation.
In 2022, Andrew settled a U.S. civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre one of Epstein’s accusers for a reported sum, without admitting liability. That settlement, and resurfacing claims, have continued to cast a long shadow over Andrew’s public and private life.
In the Palace statement, it was noted that “formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease” and Andrew “will move to alternative private accommodation.”
Reportedly, he is expected to relocate to a property on the Sandringham Estate, with the move to be privately funded by King Charles. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, is also expected to vacate Royal Lodge and make her independent living arrangements.
This sweeping removal of titles and residence is widely viewed as an unprecedented, symbolic break in royal protocol rarely has a senior royal been stripped of so many honors so publicly.
Observers interpret it as a move by King Charles to decisively distance the monarchy from the scandal, reassert control, and protect the crown’s reputation. In the words of the Palace, the steps are “deemed necessary,” notwithstanding Andrew’s denials, and the royal family expressed sympathy with victims of abuse.
In sum, the transformation of Prince Andrew’s status from royal prince and duke to simply Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, stripped of titles, rights, and home marks a major fall from grace. It underscores how royal privilege can be curtailed when weighed against public scandal and institutional image.
As Andrew prepares to leave Royal Lodge and relinquish all formal royal identities, a new chapter of his life begins one devoid of the royal trappings he once took for granted.
The statement from Buckingham Palace 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.