Prince Andrew is being stripped of all his titles and honours and will have to leave Royal Lodge, his 30-bedroom residence in Windsor, it has been announced. After days of speculation, Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles had begun the formal process of stripping the titles from his younger brother after “serious lapses in judgement” linked to his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew also agreed to leave Royal Lodge following a public outcry over the peppercorn rent he paid for the lavish mansion.
While the news may have seemed a long time coming, with the former Duke of York dogged by reports of his close ties to Epstein for more than a decade, media outlets around the world leapt into action as soon as it was announced, with full-blown reports already on-hand to document the momentous decision. Rather than turning copy around at lightning speed, this is because media outlets are given a short notice period before significant stories become public knowledge, with the heads-up usually including an official statement and a background briefing on the announcement, whatever it may be.
The information is generally distributed under a strict embargo, prohibiting publications from publishing it before a specific time. This also gives reporters and editors a valuble opportunity to prepare their coverage, through news articles, reaction pieces and features, to maximise output when the news breaks.
It is understood that while the King initiated the process of formally removing Andrew’s titles and honours, his younger brother did not object to it. It has also been reported that Prince William and other members of the royal family supported the King’s decision.
While King Charles is expected to make “appropriate private provision” for his brother in Sandringham, Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who continued to live at the Royal Lodge after their separation, will have to sort her own living arrangements.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “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 it clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
