(MENAFN- Live Mint) Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday, October 30, that King Charles III has decided to strip his younger brother, Andrew, of all royal titles, honours, and his royal residence near Windsor Castle. Andrew, who had held the title 'prince' will now no longer use the royal prefix, and will instead be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. He is expected to vacate his Royal Lodge residence on Windsor Castle and move into“private accommodation,” the Buckingham Palace said.

It said,“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.”

The decision to strip Andrew of all his titles and honours, and evict him from his royal home came as he has long fought his links to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and allegations by one of his victims, Virginia Roberts Giuffre. She died by suicide in April at the age of 41.

Explaining why, the palace further said the actions were necessary despite his continued denial of the allegations against him.

“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,” it said.

The allegations against Andrew

Andrew faced public backlash after emails surfaced earlier this month revealing he had stayed in touch with Jeffrey Epstein longer than he had previously acknowledged.

He had claimed that he broke off contact with Epstein in December 2010. It was later revealed that Andrew had sent an email to Epstein in February 2011, telling him they were“in this together” and would“have to rise above it.”

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A few weeks ago, he had given up his royal titles, including Duke of York, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, leaving him with just 'prince'.

Today, on October 30, Andrew was stripped of even that.

As Andrew announced the decision to relinquish his title, he yet again denied allegations made by Virginia Giuffre against him.“I vigorously deny the accusations against me,” he said in his statement.

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The allegations tied to his association with Jeffrey Epstein have followed him since details of their connection first emerged in 2011.

He was forced to resign as Britain's special trade envoy. During that time, Andrew was facing questions over his links with Said Gadhafi, son of late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

In 2019, the focus was drawn on Andrew having sex with at least one underage girl. Andrew has denied the allegations. He even agreed to do a TV interview where he defended his friendship with Epstein, and categorically denied meeting Virginia Giuffre.

In 2020, Buckingham Palace announces that Andrew will suspend all royal duties“for the foreseeable future.” Four days later, the prince is stripped of his role as patron of 230 charities.

In 2022, Andrew agreed to settle a New York civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre. Legal experts estimate that the undisclosed settlement cost Andrew as much as $10 million.

(With agency inputs)

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