King Charles has initiated the formal process to strip his brother, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, of his title as prince. This unprecedented move comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding Andrew's past associations, particularly with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The announcement was made by Buckingham Palace on Thursday, marking a significant shift in the monarchy's approach to scandal management.

Andrew, 65, is also being asked to vacate the 30-room Royal Lodge, a mansion he has leased from the Crown Estate near Windsor Castle. He will be relocating to one of King Charles's private estates. This decision reflects the growing pressure on the Royal Family to address Andrew's controversial history, which has become a crisis for the monarchy.

Justin Vovk, a royal historian, described the situation as one of the most significant events for the monarchy in the 21st century. He noted that it signals King Charles's intent to modernize the monarchy and adapt to changing public sentiments. "This is a clear indication that the reign of King Charles wants to be one of modernization and adapting to developing circumstances," Vovk said.

Andrew stepped back from royal duties following a disastrous BBC interview in 2019, where he discussed his friendship with Epstein. He has consistently denied all allegations against him, including a lawsuit settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse. Recent excerpts from Giuffre's posthumous book described Andrew as feeling entitled, suggesting he believed sexual relations with her were his birthright.

Craig Prescott, a constitutional expert, referred to this situation as the first genuine royal crisis of King Charles's reign. He emphasized that the monarchy often struggles when it is out of step with public and parliamentary opinion. Questions had been raised in Parliament regarding Andrew's living arrangements, and King Charles faced public scrutiny during a recent event when a protester heckled him about Andrew's past.

The palace's actions are seen as an attempt to align the monarchy with public sentiment. Prescott noted that the King's statement was clear, emphasizing that the measures taken were necessary despite Andrew's denials. "It’s clearly distancing Andrew from the rest of the monarchy, which is reinforced by moving him to Sandringham," Prescott said.

Historically, there are few parallels to Andrew's situation. Prescott pointed out that the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936 is one of the only comparable events. Vovk added that there is no existing precedent for stripping a royal family member of their titles in this manner. The closest historical reference is the Titles Deprivation Act of 1917, which addressed peers who fought against Britain during World War I.

As the scandal surrounding Andrew continues, the palace has indicated that the removal of his titles will not be immediate or straightforward. Vovk suggested that discussions are ongoing between Buckingham Palace and Westminster regarding the legislative process needed to expedite Andrew's title removal. Letters Patent, legal documents issued by the King, will be required to officially strip Andrew of his status as a prince.

Reports indicate that Andrew has been removed from the Roll of the Peerage, which would simplify the process of title removal without necessitating legislative changes. Despite the ongoing controversies, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne.

The palace has not disclosed where Andrew will reside on the Sandringham estate, but this move is expected to mitigate public criticism regarding his living arrangements at Royal Lodge. Prescott described the relocation as a practical solution, noting that Sandringham is a private estate, meaning taxpayer money will not be used to house Andrew.

Looking ahead, Vovk emphasized the importance of monitoring the documentation that will formalize Andrew's title removal and how this process will involve the U.K. Parliament. The outcome could influence public perception of the monarchy and Andrew's future within it.

In a separate royal engagement, King Charles recently participated in a historic joint public worship with Pope Leo at the Vatican, marking a significant moment in the relationship between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. Prescott remarked that such an event would have been unthinkable 50 years ago, aligning with the King's vision for a modern monarchy.