Prince Andrew to be stripped of titles and move out of Royal Lodge

Prince Andrew is to leave his home at Royal Lodge in Windsor after he was served with a formal notice to surrender the lease, Buckingham Palace has said.

King Charles has initiated a “formal process to remove the style, titles and honours of Prince Andrew”, who will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the palace said. Andrew did not object to the process, PA reported.

Andrew’s links to the child sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein continue to cause controversy. It is understood that although he denies the accusations, Buckingham Palace considers there have been “serious lapses of judgment”.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “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.”

It is understood that Prince Andrew will move to a property on the private Sandringham estate in Norfolk, the BBC reported, to be privately funded by the king.

His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also move out of Royal Lodge and will sort out her own living arrangements.

The move will take place as soon as practicable and Andrew will receive an appropriate private provision from the king, it is understood, with any other sources of income to be a matter for the former duke.

The king had the support of the Prince of Wales in the decision. Private factors, including welfare, have formed a critical part of considerations around taking the action.

The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, said: “The king is absolutely right to strip Prince Andrew of both his titles and his residence at the Royal Lodge. It’s clear that Andrew’s position had become totally untenable, having disgraced his office and embarrassed the country.

“This is an important step towards rebuilding trust in our institutions and drawing a line under this whole sorry saga.”