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A Letters Patent was published, legally stripping the former Prince Andrew of his royal titles, including prince
Buckingham Palace announced on Oct. 30 that King Charles had begun the formal process to strip his brother of all titles and honors, with the move made official on Nov. 3
Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and leave his longtime residence at Royal Lodge
King Charles‘ move to remove the royal titles of the former Prince Andrew is now official.
After Buckingham Palace announced on Oct. 30 that the monarch had begun the formal process to strip his brother of all titles and honors, including prince and the “His Royal Highness” styling, it was made official on Nov. 3. Details of the Letters Patent, a legal document expressing the will of the monarch, was published by the Crown Office in The Gazette, the U.K.’s official public record.
The entry in The Gazette states: “The King has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 3 November 2025 to declare that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of ‘Royal Highness’ and the titular dignity of ‘Prince.’ “
PEOPLE understands it was King Charles’ decision to remove Andrew’s titles and honors, and he is using his Royal Prerogative, which allows him to manage certain royal titles and honors without involving Parliament.
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Prince Andrew and King Charles at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September 2022
The palace’s Oct. 30 statement revealed that Andrew, 65, would now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, using the royal family’s last name.
In addition, Andrew will lose his living arrangements at Royal Lodge in Windsor. He will relocate to the royal family’s private Sandringham estate, and future accommodation will be privately funded by King Charles.
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The news comes after Andrew announced on Friday, Oct. 17, that he would give up the use of his royal titles and other titles and honors amid renewed interest in his relationship to Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. However, at the time, he retained the titles and was still known as Prince Andrew.
Andrew stepped back from his public royal role in 2019 following his bombshell BBC interview in which he discussed his relationship with Epstein. Queen Elizabeth stripped her son of his military titles and patronages in January 2022, after a judge rejected his attempt to have Giuffre’s sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed. He settled with Giuffre out of court for an undisclosed sum.
Scrutiny intensified in recent weeks after the posthumous memoir of Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at 41. In the book, she wrote that Andrew “believed having sex with me was his birthright,” describing three occasions Epstein allegedly arranged for her to meet him beginning at age 17.
Recent leaked emails also showed that Andrew was in touch with Epstein after he had claimed to break off contact with the disgraced financier.
Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
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Prince Andrew attends Duchess of Kent’s funeral on Sept. 16, 2025
In the week since the palace’s announcement about removing Andrew’s titles, the royals have taken steps to distance themselves from him. His biography was removed from the royal family’s official website, and Prince William dodged a question alluding to his uncle’s recent drama during his trip to Brazil this week.
Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed the removal of Andrew’s “last remaining title,” his honorary rank as vice admiral in the Royal Navy, to The Telegraph on Nov. 2. However, King Charles has allowed Andrew to retain medals that he earned during his naval service.
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