Prince Andrew will no longer be known by his royal name after his brother and King has stripped him of his titles.
The former Duke of York, 65, has faced constant allegations following his friendship with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and was sexually abused by Andrew on three occasions, allegations he has always denied.
Last night (30 October), the royal family announced that the King has ‘initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honours of Prince Andrew’.
“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,” the statement read.
The King has stripped his brother Andrew of his Prince and Duke of York titles and has served him a ‘formal notice’ to leave Royal Lodge (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
“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.
“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.”
What happens to Andrew next?
Andrew has faced constant allegations following his friendship with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein (Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images)
As reported by the BBC, it is said that Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, 66, may be relocated to the 20,000 acre Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
It is also said that the King will privately fund his move and will make ‘appropriate private provision’ for his sibling.
Experts told the outlet that as well as the removal of his royal titles, Andrew will not be invited to any public or private events in relation to the monarchy.
Andrew had already announced on 17 October that he would stop using his titles due to the ‘continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family’.
“I vigorously deny the accusations against me,” he added.
Virginia Giuffre’s family ‘declares a victory’
Virginia Giuffre’s family have reacted to the announcement (US District Court)
Giuffre’s family said in a statement to the BBC that she had ‘never stopped fighting for accountability’.
“Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage,” it read.
“Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and countless other survivors like her.
“Today, she declares a victory. We, her family, along with her survivor sisters, continue Virginia’s battle and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of her abusers and abetters, connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.”