The United Kingdom Royal Family says King Charles has commenced the process to strip his brother Prince Andrew of official titles over his connection to late convicted sexual predator and trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. 

“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew,” the Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Thursday. “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.”

The announcement came almost two weeks after Prince Andrew decided to voluntarily relinquish his royal titles and honours including the ‘Duke of York’ after “discussion with the king” amid his longstanding sexual scandal linked to Mr Epstein.

In 2022, Mr Andrew paid more $12 million to settle a civil lawsuit filed against him in the United States by an unnamed woman, who the 65-year-old reportedly raped at the infamous island of Mr Epstein when she was 17.

The Buckingham Palace noted that a formal notice has also been issued to the prince to vacate taxpayers-funded royal castle and move to a private residence, adding that the decision was necessary despite his continuous maintenance of innocence.

“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,” the Palace added.