‘Brought down a prince’: Virginia Giuffre’s family reacts to Andrew being stripped of royal titleYour support helps us to tell the story
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The King has taken the dramatic decision to formally strip his brother Andrew of his Prince and Duke of York titles and HRH style, a move that ends his public life.
The disgraced royal will effectively have the status of a commoner and will be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, after Virginia Giuffre’s devastating memoir of sexual abuse and his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein led to his downfall.
It is understood that although Andrew denies the accusations, Buckingham Palace considers that there have been “serious lapses of judgment”.
Giuffre’s family hailed the decision, saying she “brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage”.
The family said she “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.”
Andrew will move to a property on the Sandringham Estate, it’s understood. Any future accommodation will be privately funded by the King.
Could Prince Andrew ever be prosecuted over his links to Jeffrey Epstein?
The Metropolitan Police are “actively looking” into claims that the royal tried to use his bodyguard to smear his accuser Virginia Giuffre – as her family urged the force to reopen an inquiry into her alleged abuse:
Maroosha Muzaffar31 October 2025 07:30
Monarchy ‘needs to be held accountable’, MP says
A York MP has said that the monarchy need to be “accountable” in the wake of the King’s decision to strip Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of his titles.
Rachael Maskell told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think the world’s moved on, and we need the monarchy to be accountable by all means, not least to the public.
“When we saw 80% of the public saying remove those titles, I’m sure there is relief across the country now that that has been done.”
Ms Maskell, who represents York Central introduced a Bill in the Commons to make it easier for the King to remove titles suggested there was still a need to change the law.
She said: “We know that peers, for instance, have ended up in jail, so I think we need to look at the whole system.
“And my Bill would have enabled people with all forms of peerages, baronets and dukes and princes and princesses, to have those titles removed, a mechanism which could be carried forward, not for just one circumstance, but all circumstances.”
Labour MP for York Central Rachael Maskell (Danny Lawson/PA) (PA Archive)
Nicole Wootton-Cane31 October 2025 07:16
Politicians have backed the King’s decision to strip Prince Andrew of his titles and Royal Lodge residence.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “I’m afraid the whole Jeffrey Epstein saga and everyone it has touched, from Prince Andrew to Peter Mandelson, has just shown that the public has no truck whatsoever with any kind of sexual abuse, sexual offences, especially of minors. And I think that that’s quite right.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Charles was absolutely right to do so.
He added: “It’s clear that Andrew’s position had become totally untenable, having disgraced his office and embarrassed the country.”
The leader of the Scottish National Party in Westminster, Stephen Flynn, said: “The right decision and an important moment for the victims of Epstein.
“I hope all those who were elected to Parliament and chose to defend inaction rather than speak out now regret the choice they made.”
Jane Dalton31 October 2025 07:00
All the royal titles Prince Andrew has given up
Andrew will no longer have his Prince or Duke of York title, and will be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, effectively having the status of a commoner.
He was born with his prince title and given the title of the Duke of York by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, on the morning of his wedding. It was a title for which the Queen had a great personal affection, being the one held by her beloved father, King George VI, before he acceded the throne.
Maroosha Muzaffar31 October 2025 06:30
King Charles’ statement in full as Andrew is stripped of prince title and home
Read the King’s statement in full:
“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. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. 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.”
Maroosha Muzaffar31 October 2025 06:00
Timeline of Prince Andrew scandals: From Queen’s favourite to Epstein allegations – and losing his titles
Late monarch’s middle child has seen his reputation damaged over his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and a car crash BBC interview:
Maroosha Muzaffar31 October 2025 05:30
King’s action is victory for Virginia Giuffre, her family say
The family of Virginia Giuffre, who said she was trafficked and forced to have sex with Andrew, say Andrew’s being stripped of his title and home is a victory for Ms Giuffre.
“Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage,” they said.
“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.”
Ms Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, brought a civil claim against Andrew.
Virginia Guiffre brought a civil claim against Andrew (BBC/Panorama)
Jane Dalton31 October 2025 05:00
Giuffre ‘brought down a British prince’, family says
King Charles has formally stripped Prince Andrew of all his royal titles and the “His Royal Highness” style, forcing him to vacate Royal Lodge and live as a private citizen, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
The move follows years of scandal over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and sexual assault allegations by Virginia Giuffre, who died earlier this year.
Giuffre’s family hailed the decision, saying she “brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage”.
Her lawyer called it a historic “tipping point” for survivors of abuse.
The family said she “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.”
Maroosha Muzaffar31 October 2025 04:30
Watch: Andrew evicted and stripped of titlesPrince Andrew latest: Andrew to lose his prince title and move out of Royal Lodge
Jane Dalton31 October 2025 04:00
Andrew stripped of ‘prince’ title and evicted – full report
Jane Dalton31 October 2025 03:30