King Charles III has officially removed all royal titles from his brother, Prince Andrew, and ordered him to vacate his residence at Royal Lodge. This decision comes amid increasing scrutiny over Andrew's connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Buckingham Palace announced the changes on Thursday, stating that Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, no longer holding the title of prince.

The palace's statement indicated that the king initiated a formal process to strip Andrew of his titles, which escalated from earlier actions that included the loss of his Duke of York title. The palace emphasized that these measures were necessary, despite Andrew's continued denial of 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,” the statement read.

Andrew, 65, has faced mounting pressure due to his past associations with Epstein. Recent revelations, including emails showing he maintained contact with Epstein longer than previously acknowledged, have intensified public scrutiny. Additionally, Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's accusers, detailed allegations against Andrew in her posthumous memoir, claiming they had sexual encounters when she was 17. Andrew has consistently denied these allegations.

The palace confirmed that Andrew has been served formal notice to surrender the lease on his Royal Lodge home, which is located near Windsor Castle. He is expected to relocate to private accommodation on the Sandringham estate. Reports indicate that Andrew had been paying a nominal rent of “one peppercorn (if demanded) per annum” for the 30-room mansion, despite stepping back from royal duties in 2019.

The decision to evict Andrew marks a significant move within the royal family, reflecting King Charles's desire to distance the monarchy from controversy. A palace source noted that while Andrew denies the allegations, there have been serious lapses in judgment. The decision reportedly had the support of other family members, including heir-to-the-throne Prince William.

Andrew's past as a naval officer and his service during the Falklands War have been overshadowed by his recent controversies. He stepped down from his role as a UK trade ambassador in 2011 and lost his military affiliations and royal patronages in 2022 amid ongoing allegations of sexual misconduct.

In February 2022, Andrew reached a legal settlement with Giuffre for an undisclosed amount after she filed a civil lawsuit against him in New York. Although he did not admit wrongdoing, he acknowledged Giuffre's suffering as a victim of sex trafficking. Giuffre tragically died by suicide in April at the age of 41.

As Andrew prepares to move, his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their royal titles. The Royal Lodge, once home to the late Queen Elizabeth II's mother, has been a significant residence for Andrew, who will now seek alternative living arrangements following this latest royal decree.