(London) The British Royal Family issued a statement saying that King Charles III has formally initiated procedures to strip Prince Andrew of his titles, honors, and privileges, and has notified him to move out of the Royal Residence.
The Royal Family statement on Thursday (October 30) said that Prince Andrew will henceforth be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and will move to a private residence.
Andrew is the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II. In recent years, Andrew has been embroiled in scandal due to his close relationship with the late American tycoon and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He insists that he has long since severed ties with Epstein and vehemently denies having had sexual relations with underage girls at Epstein's mansion.
Days before the Royal Family statement was released, the memoir of Giuffre, the woman who accused Epstein of sexual assault, was published, in which she alleges that Andrew had sexual relations with her three times, including when she was only 17 years old.
The royal statement said that although Andrew continues to deny the allegations, stripping him of his royal titles was still a necessary step. Andrew's two daughters will retain their princess titles.
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