By Sammy Jones-
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he “fully supports” Buckingham Palace’s decision to strip Andrew of his titles, Downing Street says
Starmer says “our hearts go out” to Virginia Giuffre’s family, and his “utmost sympathies… remain with the victims and survivors” of abuse
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His support follows the announcement by King Charles III late on Thursday night that he has initiated the “formal process” to remove his brother’s remaining royal titles and honours. This powerful action requires the former Duke of York, now simply known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, to surrender his lease at the Royal Lodge, his long-time Windsor residence.
Andrew with King Charles earlier this year. Pic: Reuters
Royal Lodge, the Windsor residence of Andrew. Pic: Sky News
The family of Andrew’s accuser hailed the King’s definitive decision, which follows weeks of renewed, intense public scrutiny regarding his historical relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew will now relocate from the spacious Royal Lodge to a much smaller property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. His future accommodation expenses will be privately financed by the monarch himself, signalling a final separation of his finances from public funds. The Palace statement notably included the King and Queen’s “thoughts and utmost sympathies” for the “victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse,” making the context of the move clear. .
The King’s decision to have Prince Andrew Stripped of Titles marks one of the most significant royal actions in recent history. Royal historian Kate Williams told Sky News this truly represents a “huge moment in world history.” She noted that only two major precedents exist for such a comprehensive stripping of titles. Those precedents include the daughters of Henry VIII, who later became Queens Mary I and Elizabeth I, and British royals who fought on the German side during the First World War. Williams emphasized how incredibly radical the King’s decision is, confirming Andrew now joins an extremely small circle of royals completely stripped of their status.
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The family of Andrew’s accuser, Virginia Giuffre, whose posthumous memoir was released this month, released a powerful statement. They declared, “an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family, brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.”
Pic: Sky News
Andrew has consistently denied Ms. Giuffre’s allegations, which claim she had sexual encounters with him on three occasions while a teenager, having been trafficked by Epstein and his ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.
Ms. Giuffre tragically took her own life earlier this year. Sigrid McCawley, one of Ms. Giuffre’s lawyers during the 2021 civil case—which settled outside court for an estimated £12 million—asserted that her client had genuinely “changed history.”
Virginia Giuffre in 2019 and (below) her memoir. Pics: Reuters
The speed and finality of the process to have Prince Andrew Stripped of Titles demonstrate the King’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the institution. Royal correspondent Laura Bundock observed that Andrew’s prolonged associations “risked real reputational damage” to his family, and the continued media scrutiny overshadowed the working royals’ duties. The finality of Prince Andrew Stripped of Titles officially confirms the end of his public royal life and his removal from the center of the monarchy.
Andrew has reportedly not objected to the formal process, which now officially removes his titles, including His Royal Highness. The action also impacts his honours, specifically the Order of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order. Sarah Ferguson, who previously lost her Duchess of York title when Andrew surrendered his other titles earlier this month, will make her own private living arrangements. However, their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, will fully retain their respective titles and place within the line of succession.
The government was consulted on the King’s difficult and sensitive decision and offered their full support. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called the monarch’s action a “powerful message” during an appearance on BBC Question Time. She affirmed: “I really support the step that he’s taken.” Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also paid tribute to the King’s “very difficult” decision to move against his brother, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey condemned Andrew for having “disgraced his office.” Regarding the practical execution of the order, Andrew will vacate his Royal Lodge home and move out of Windsor as quickly as possible.
Despite the King’s definitive action, pressure remains on Andrew from overseas regarding his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Democrat Suhas Subramanyam, speaking for the US Congress, insisted Andrew “owes it to the victims to share everything he knows about Epstein’s criminal operation.” The release of the so-called “Epstein files” by Congress has also implicated other major figures, including Britain’s former US ambassador, Lord Mandelson. These ongoing investigations ensure the global scrutiny surrounding Andrew’s connections will not subside despite the removal of his titles.
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