The final words in the Palace statement are tellingpublished at 19:59 GMT 30 October

19:59 GMT 30 October

Helena Wilkinson
Reporting from Windsor

The last words in the Palace statement are telling – that the King and Queen’s thoughts have been, and always will be, "with the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse".

If we look back at the statement that Andrew issued a few weeks ago - when he announced that he was giving up his other titles and honours - there was no mention of thoughts or sympathies of victims and survivors.

It's been almost six years since Andrew’s BBC Newsnight interview – which led to him stepping back from royal duties in 2019. So why has he lost his "prince" title now?

• January 2025: In his Newsnight interview, Andrew said he had severed all links with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein after they were pictured together in New York in December 2010. But in January 2025, emails emerged that appeared to show contact beyond this point. One sent in February 2011, believed to be from Prince Andrew to Epstein, said: "Keep in close touch and we'll play some more soon!!!!”
• October 2025: The February 2011 email to Epstein re-emerges, with the Mail on Sunday saying it was from Andrew and printing more details. "It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it," the prince reportedly wrote
• October 2025: Andrew voluntarily gave up most of his titles. He remained a prince but would no longer use the Duke of York title

• October 2025: Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir is published with further details of her allegations against Prince Andrew – including that they had sex on three separate occasions when she was a teenager. He denies all the claims

"They’re finally getting ahead of the story, but this isn’t the end of it," says historian and author Andrew Lownie, who earlier this year published his Entitled: The rise and fall of the House of York.

He tells the BBC the Palace is "finally taking some decisive action" - but it "won’t completely satisfy the public disquiet".

As for how Andrew is feeling, the author says it’s a "huge humiliation" for Andrew.

"He’s been very depressed about it all, even though he’s been defiant in public," Lownie says.

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew did not have much choice in the matterpublished at 19:43 GMT 30 October

19:43 GMT 30 October

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

After accusations that the Palace had done too little too late, this is now a root and branch attempt to draw a line under the scandal surrounding the former Prince Andrew - now plain Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

All the titles are being formally removed and not simply not being used. That includes the status of "prince".

There is also an end to the row over Andrew living in Royal Lodge. He’ll move to Sandringham, a property privately owned by the monarch, rather than by the Crown Estate.

This is even more dramatic fall from grace for Andrew - with royal sources saying the decision reflects how seriously his lapses of judgement are being taken.

Andrew, who has consistently denied allegations against him, is said not have objected to the changes.

It’s hard to imagine that he had much choice.

Andrew has received formal notice to surrender the lease on his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge.

The move is set to take place as soon as it is practicable, it is understood.

Andrew is understood not to have objected to the King's decision to remove his titles.

The decision was made, and action taken, due to serious lapses in Andrew’s judgement, it is understood. Andrew continues to deny the accusations against him.

It is also understood that the government was consulted - it made clear it supports the decision.

It can't be overstated how significant this ispublished at 19:27 GMT 30 October

19:27 GMT 30 October

Noor Nanji
Culture reporter

After a couple of weeks of intense scrutiny on Prince Andrew, it did feel as if an announcement like this was a case of when, not if.

But it still can’t be overstated how significant a move this is.

For someone who enjoys the trappings of royal life, this will be a personal blow, and likely very humiliating, for Andrew.

He is losing his prince title, and leaving his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge – just weeks after giving up his other royal titles, including the Duke of York.

The negotiations won’t have been easy. But the palace will have been well aware of the mood music, and how all of this looks to the public.

There has been an increased focus on Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein, and today it’s clear that that pressure just got too much.

Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.

But the last words in today’s statement are telling. The King and Queen are making it very clear that their “thoughts and utmost sympathies” have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice will retain their titles, as they are the daughters of the son of a Sovereign.

This is in line with King George V's Letters Patent of 1917.

Image source, PA Media

It's understood that Prince Andrew will move to a property on the private Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

It will be privately funded by the King.

We can now bring you the full statement from Buckingham Palace:

His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.

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 clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.

Prince Andrew will lose his title and move out of Royal Lodge, a statement from Buckingham Palace says.

"Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor," it adds.

This is a breaking news story, stay with us for more details.