Buckingham Palace has announced that Andrew (born Prince Andrew) has been stripped of all his royal titles and privileges by order of King Charles III, marking one of the most dramatic disciplinary actions in modern royal history.

In a statement released on Friday, the Palace confirmed that the 65-year-old royal will no longer use the title Duke of York or the honorific His Royal Highness (HRH). He will also forfeit his other styles and honours, including Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, as well as his memberships in the Order of the Garter and Royal Victorian Order.

The statement added that Andrew will henceforth be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, effectively returning him to private status.

The decision follows renewed public outrage over Andrew’s long-standing association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and renewed scrutiny of his settlement in a civil case involving Virginia Giuffre. Sources close to the Palace said the move came after “extensive consultations” within the royal family and was personally approved by King Charles.

In his own statement, Andrew said he accepted the King’s decision “with a sense of duty and loyalty to the Crown,” adding that he wished to “avoid further distractions from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.”

The move also affects his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, who will cease to use the title Duchess of York, though their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their royal titles.

Government officials welcomed the decision, calling it “necessary to preserve the dignity of the monarchy.” British media reported that Andrew will lose most of his royal allowances and will likely fund his own residence and security going forward

Andrew, who had already withdrawn from public duties in 2019, will no longer represent the royal family at any state or ceremonial functions.

Royal watchers say the decision cements Andrew’s complete removal from official royal life, leaving him a private citizen with no formal role in the monarchy.

While the title Duke of York remains legally intact until Parliament decides otherwise, palace aides say there are no plans to reassign it in the foreseeable future.