King Charles III of Britain has stripped Prince Andrew of his royal titles and royal honours. Andrew will now reside in a private residence. This decision was made due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual assault.
United Kingdom: King Charles III of Britain has stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal titles and honours. Andrew will now officially have to vacate Royal Lodge and reside in a private residence. The primary reason for this decision is Andrew's alleged association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the sexual assault allegations against him.
Who is Prince Andrew?
Andrew is the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the younger brother of King Charles III. He was married to Sarah Ferguson and has two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Andrew served in the Royal Navy for 22 years and worked as a helicopter pilot during the 1982 Falklands War. He later commanded the mine countermeasures ship HMS Cottesmore. His military roles were also suspended after he stepped down from public duties in 2019.
Earlier this month, Andrew relinquished his title of Duke of York. He will now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Why were the royal titles revoked?
Andrew was accused of maintaining an association with Jeffrey Epstein, under whom he allegedly abused minor girl Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit against Andrew in August 2021, alleging that Andrew sexually assaulted her three times when she was 17 years old.
Andrew settled the case out of court without ever admitting any wrongdoing. In February 2022, lawyers for Giuffre and Andrew submitted a joint letter to the US court, stating that both parties had resolved the civil case.
Association with Epstein
Andrew first met Epstein in 1999 through Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein was convicted in 2008 of procuring a minor for prostitution in the US and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Even after his conviction, the two were seen walking in New York's Central Park in 2010. Court documents also revealed that in February 2011, Andrew sent an email to Epstein that read, “Keep in touch and we will play some more very soon!!!!”
King Charles's Decision
In January 2022, Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew of his military titles and royal patronages. Now, King Charles has decided to remove his royal titles, honours, and evict him from Royal Lodge.
