Is It Finally All Over? Everything You Need To Know About Andrew's Fall From Grace – And What's Next

Prince Andrew became Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.Prince Andrew became Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor last night in a landmark moment for the Royal Family.King Charles’ younger brother was stripped of his titles and has to surrender the lease on his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge, over his ties to the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.It means he will effectively live as a private citizen, although he denies all accusations of wrongdoing.Here’s a look at why this is such a major moment for the Royal Family, and what might happen next.Why has this happened?Andrew has faced intense scrutiny over his friendship with disgraced financier Epstein for more than a decade.One of Epstein’s accusers, the late Virginia Giuffre, who said she was Epstein’s “sex slave”, alleged that the royal had sex with her on three separate occasions when she was a teenager.The debacle came to a head after Andrew tried – and failed – to clear his name in a car crash interview with BBC Newsnight back in 2019.He subsequently stood down from life as a working royal amid widespread backlash but retained his titles.Then, in January 2022, it was announced he would not use the His Royal Highness style in any official capacity.But public discontent over his ongoing access to elements of royal life persisted, and earlier this month that the King decided to go much further with Andrew’s punishment. He decided to strip Andrew of his title as Duke of York.The fallout then worsened, so the monarch has now adopted a stronger approach to what is understood to be “Andrew’s serious lapses in judgement”.It comes after the publication of Giuffre’s post-humous memoirs where she reiterated her original claims earlier this month.An email from February 2011 to Epstein – after he was registered as a sex offender in the US – also re-emerged this October.The Mail on Sunday claimed it was from Andrew, and that reportedly said: “It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it.”This suggested Andrew had not yet cut ties with Epstein, even though he told BBC Newsnight he ended their friendship in December 2010.Some MPs previously suggested Andrew could face a parliamentary debate on his conduct in the Commons.Keir Starmer also said he would supporting hauling the royal in front of a select committee “for proper scrutiny” over his living situation last week, after it emerged Andrew had only paid a peppercorn rent for more than 20 years.Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and all accusations against him.He has also denied ever meeting Giuffre, and in 2022 settled a US civil case with her for an alleged £12million – albeit with no admission of liability.Andrew, Charles' younger brotherHow big is this moment?It’s hard to overstate the significance of this decision. The titles of prince and princess are seen as a birthright to the children and grandchildren of any reigning monarch.Queen Elizabeth II gave birth to Andrew while she was on the throne, meaning he was born with it.The last time a royal was stripped of such a title was in 1917. Prince Charles Edward, one of Queen Victoria’s grandsons, was stripped of his Albany Dukedom by the British parliament under the Titles Deprivation act of 1917.Princess Patricia of Connaught was also permitted to relinquish the title of Princess and HRH status in February 1919 so she could marry a “commoner”.But, according to the parliamentary library, “there is no formal deprivation” recorded in any other instances.Giuffre’s family proudly stated how “an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage”.’Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and to countless other survivors like her,” Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts, and his wife Amanda Roberts told People magazine.“Today, she declares victory.“We, her family, along with her survivor sisters, continue Virginia’s battle and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of the abusers and abettors connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.”Will parliament need to vote on it?No. While the King has “initiated a formal process” to remove Andrew’s titles, it’s highly unlikely MPs will be asked to vote.That’s because the title was awarded under “royal prerogative”, meaning the legal basis of the title was not an act of parliament – although parliament can remove such titles, too.It’s understood the government was consulted over the Palace’s plans and agreed with them.The King is reportedly in the process of sending out royal warrants to the Lord Chancellor to remove Andrew’s titles and honours – and the younger royal has not objected.Virginia Giuffre, center, holds a news conference outside a Manhattan court in New York, Aug. 27, 2019.What happens now?Andrew will move to a property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, privately funded by the King.The main privilege Andrew still has access to is his place in the line of succession.He stands at eighth in the line of succession, after Prince William, his three children and Prince Harry and his two children.He is also still listed as a potential counsellor of state – meaning he could step in to rule if Charles was indisposed or abroad.However, others – Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward – have taken on that role since Andrew’s fall from grace six years ago, as only working members of the Firm are called upon as counsellors of the state.This can be removed by legislation, although it would require the consent of every other Commonwealth Realm according to the Statute of Westminster 1931.Andrew’s daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, are expected to retain their titles and continue using their HRH status.Royal historian and author Andrew Lownie told The Mirror that Andrew was being “thrown under the bus” by the Royal Family.Andrew may still be facing a private prosecution over allegations of sexual assault, corruption and misconduct in public office, according to anti-monarchy campaign group Republic.It said it had advised its lawyers to investigate the royal and – if appropriate – press ahead with legal proceedings.According to the Daily Mail, the campaigners are focusing on accusations Andrew assaulted Giuffre and that he asked a royal protection officer to look into her background and impropriety when he served as an official UK trade envoy.Related...Epstein Survivor's Family Declares 'Victory' After Prince Andrew Is Stripped Of Royal TitlePrince Andrew To Lose 'Prince' Title, Buckingham Palace SaysKeir Starmer Won't Join Calls For Prince Andrew To Give Up His Rent-Free 30-Bed Mansion

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