King Charles III has formally stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal titles, styles, and honors, marking one of the most dramatic royal censures in modern British history. The move, announced by Buckingham Palace on Thursday, follows renewed scrutiny over Andrew’s long-criticized ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Under the order, Andrew will no longer be referred to as “Prince” and will instead go by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the surname shared by his extended family. He will also vacate his longtime residence at Royal Lodge, located on the Windsor Castle estate, after being served a formal notice to surrender his lease.

“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him,” the palace said in its statement. “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies remain with the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”

According to palace officials, the king has revoked all remaining titles and honors previously held by Andrew, including Earl of Inverness, Baron Killyleagh, the style “His Royal Highness”, and the prestigious Order of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order.

The House of Commons Library confirmed that this is the first time in more than a century that a senior member of the royal family has been stripped of their titles by the reigning monarch.

Earlier this month, Andrew announced he would voluntarily stop using his title as Duke of York, saying in a statement that “continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.”

A royal source told  News men  that Andrew will relocate to a smaller private residence on King Charles’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England. His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, who had been living with him at Royal Lodge, will also leave the property and “make her own living arrangements,” the source said.

The titles of Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, remain unaffected by the decision.

The palace’s announcement comes shortly after the release of the posthumous memoir “Nobody’s Girl” by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most well-known accusers, who died in April. The book’s publication on October 21 reignited public debate over Andrew’s alleged involvement with Epstein, despite his consistent denials.

Andrew, 64, was stripped of his royal duties and patronages in 2022 following a civil lawsuit brought by Giuffre in the United States, which was later settled out of court.

The latest royal action effectively ends his formal association with the monarchy — a symbolic move reflecting both King Charles’s desire to protect the institution’s integrity and the monarchy’s broader effort to modernize and distance itself from scandal.

“It’s a painful but necessary step,” a palace insider said. “The Crown cannot afford to carry the weight of Andrew’s controversies any longer.”