Buckingham Palace has set in motion the formal removal of the styles, titles and honours of Andrew, the King’s brother. The move ends his public role in the monarchy and instructs the media to refer to him as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. It follows a meeting with King Charles on 17 October and comes alongside notice to surrender the lease of Royal Lodge in Windsor. Reporting also indicates that security arrangements linked to his former status will be withdrawn.
Andrew will no longer use the title Prince or the style His Royal Highness. He is to cease use of Duke of York and related peerage titles such as Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh. His royal patronages and honorary affiliations remain revoked and he will not represent the Crown at public events.
The decision does not, by itself, remove him from the line of succession, which would require separate legal steps. His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are unaffected.
The Palace has sought a clean break after years of damaging scrutiny over Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein and the civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, which was settled without admission of liability. The 2019 Newsnight interview, the 2022 loss of military titles and patronages, and his continued absence from public duties formed the backdrop to this latest step.
Why now
The decision follows renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and resurfaced allegations by Virginia Giuffre, which Andrew has consistently denied. It marks the culmination of a long rollback of his public standing that began with his 2019 BBC Newsnight interview and the 2022 removal of his military affiliations and royal patronages.
Timeline:
• Nov 2019: Newsnight interview triggers widespread fallout and Andrew steps back from public duties.
• Jan 2022: Military titles and royal patronages are removed. He stops using HRH in public settings.
• 2022: Civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre is settled without admission of liability.
• 17 Oct 2025: After talks with the King, Andrew agrees to cease using peerages and honours; his Garter banner is removed from St George’s Chapel.
Royal correspondents describe the move as unprecedented in modern times for a child of a monarch. It represents a clear break between the institution and a senior family member whose conduct has damaged the monarchy’s reputation.
What happens next
The palace has not detailed the legal mechanics or the timetable for full removal of peerages, although the Roll of the Peerage and related official records are already being updated, according to the Guardian. Further announcements are expected as administrative steps conclude.
In its message, the palace underscored sympathy for victims and survivors of abuse while noting Andrew’s continued denials.