King Charles Officially Removes Andrew of HRH Style and Princely Dignity
In a definitive move, King Charles has officially stripped the former Duke of York of his Royal Highness attribute and his title of prince.
These alterations were formalized by issuing letters patent under the official state seal, that have been recorded in the UK's official public record.
The 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 cease to be entitled to possess the designation of ‘HRH’ and the titular dignity of ‘Prince of the realm’.”
A separate record confirmed the stripping of the Duke of York from the roll of peerage, with immediate effect.
It read: “His Majesty has been pleased to direct by royal warrant under his royal sign manual dated 30 October 2025 to instruct his secretary of state to cause the titleholder to be struck from the roll of the peerage.”
Background of the Royal Action
The decision follows increasing controversy over Andrew's connections to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, exacerbated by the posthumous publication of a memoir by Virginia Giuffre.
Giuffre claimed that she was assaulted by Andrew after being trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein, claims that Andrew has consistently denied.
Mechanism of Title Removal
The king utilized his royal prerogative—accepted authorities held by the sovereign—after consultation with Cabinet Office officials, instead of through parliamentary means.
Letters patent and warrants are instruments of this prerogative, used to grant or remove titles and honors.
Since the Royal Highness designation is granted by such documents, it can be withdrawn through the same instrument.
Further Measures and Support
Following the palace statement, the senior legal official was instructed to draft the necessary documents for the removal of titles.
This action also includes Mountbatten Windsor giving up his lease on Royal Lodge, a thirty-room royal property where he has lived for two decades.
Officials endorsed the king's move.
Exception
In spite of the stripping of honors, it was confirmed that Andrew will keep his Falklands service medal, granted for his role as a Sea King helicopter co-pilot during the Falklands War.
