King Charles Formally Strips Prince Andrew of Royal Highness Title and Prince Title
In a decisive action, King Charles has formally removed the former Duke of York of his Royal Highness attribute and his title of prince.
The changes were made official by publishing royal documents under the Great Seal of the Realm, which were recorded in the Gazette.
The entry stated: “The king has been pleased by letters patent under the Great Seal dated 3 November 2025 to declare that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to possess the style, title or attribute of ‘HRH’ and the titular dignity of ‘Prince of the realm’.”
A separate record affirmed the stripping of the Duke of York from the peerage list, effective immediately.
It read: “The king has been pleased by warrant under his signature dated 30 October 2025 to instruct his secretary of state to cause the Duke of York to be struck from the peerage roll.”
Context of the Royal Action
The move follows mounting controversy over Andrew's connections to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, exacerbated by the release of Virginia Giuffre's memoir.
Giuffre claimed that she was sexually abused by the former prince after being brought by Epstein, allegations that Mountbatten Windsor has always denied.
Procedure of Removing Titles
Charles employed his royal prerogative—accepted rights held by the monarch—following discussions with Cabinet Office officials, rather than through parliamentary means.
Letters patent and warrants are tools of this authority, used to grant or revoke titles and honors.
Because the HRH style is granted by such documents, it can be withdrawn through the same instrument.
Additional Measures and Support
Following the palace statement, the senior legal official was instructed to draft the required paperwork for the title removals.
The decision also includes Mountbatten Windsor relinquishing his lease on his Windsor residence, a thirty-room Crown Estate property where he has lived for twenty years.
The government endorsed the king's decision.
Retained Honor
In spite of the stripping of honors, it was announced that Andrew will retain his South Atlantic medal, awarded for his role as a Sea King helicopter co-pilot during the Falklands conflict.
