King Charles has formally removed his younger brother Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's right to use the style "His Royal Highness" and the title of Prince, issuing a letters patent under the Great Seal of the Realm that completes Andrew's removal from official royal status. The action, which was published in the Gazette, the United Kingdom's official public record, marks one of the most significant public rebukes of a senior royal in modern history. It follows years of controversy over Andrew's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and renewed public scrutiny driven by the posthumous publication of Virginia Giuffre's memoir.
The Crown Office entry stated: "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'." A separate entry confirmed his removal from the roll of peerage, noting: "The king has been pleased by warrant under his royal sign manual dated 30 October 2025 to direct his secretary of state to cause the Duke of York to be removed from the roll of the peerage with immediate effect."
The king exercised his royal prerogative in issuing the letters patent rather than referring the matter to Parliament. Royal prerogative powers allow the monarch to grant or revoke titles independently, and the HRH style is conferred specifically through such authority. The decision followed consultation with Cabinet Office officials and included government support.
The move comes amid intensifying attention on Giuffre's allegations. Her memoir includes claims that Andrew sexually abused her when she was a minor, allegations she also raised in a civil case in the United States. Andrew has "always strenuously denied" the accusations, maintaining that he never engaged in sexual misconduct. Giuffre died earlier this year, and her book renewed global attention to the allegations and to Andrew's relationship with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Andrew previously ceased using his HRH title in 2022 after a settlement ended the civil lawsuit brought by Giuffre in the U.S., a settlement in which Andrew admitted no wrongdoing. He had also publicly questioned the authenticity of a widely circulated photograph showing him with Giuffre in London, claiming the image "could be fake."
The latest action extends beyond the removal of his royal styles. Andrew has also been directed to give notice on the lease of Royal Lodge, the 30-room Crown Estate residence where he has lived for approximately 20 years. The government signaled full support for the king's decision.
Andrew will retain only a limited set of honors linked to his military service. It was confirmed he will continue to hold his South Atlantic Medal awarded for his role as a Sea King helicopter co-pilot during the Falklands conflict. He also remains a vice admiral in the Royal Navy, an honorary promotion granted in 2015.
