UK’s Prince Andrew stripped of titles and evicted from royal residence, Buckingham Palace says

Britain’s Prince Andrew. (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Press Association

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Britain’s King Charles III is stripping his brother Prince Andrew of his remaining titles and evicting him from his royal residence, Buckingham Palace said Thursday.

In a statement, the palace said Andrew will be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and not as a prince, and he will move from his Royal Lodge residence into “private accommodation.”

The move follows revelations about Andrew’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Pressure had been growing on the palace to oust the prince from Royal Lodge after he surrendered his use of the title Duke of York earlier this month over his friendship with Epstein and allegations by one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

But the British king went even further, stripping him of the title of prince that he has had since birth as a child of a monarch, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

In a statement, the Buckingham Palace said: “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.”

The statement added: “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.”

It is understood that although the king initiated the process of formally removing his titles and honours, Andrew did not object to it.

Formal notice was given to Andrew to surrender the lease at the Royal Lodge on Thursday and it is understood that his move to Sandringham will take place “as soon as practicable”.

Britain’s Prince Andrew. (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Thursday, October 30