‘Erased’: King Charles delivers final blow as disgraced Andrew formally stripped of remaining royal titles
King Charles has officially stripped Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of the final honors he still held, as reports suggest he continues to delay moving out of Royal Lodge.
Final Titles Revoked
Andrew has now lost his last two royal distinctions: the Order of the Garter and his rank as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. The decision was issued by the King on Monday, a little over a month after Buckingham Palace first revealed that His Majesty was preparing to take this step.
The Order of the Garter, Britain’s highest order of chivalry, had been awarded to Andrew in 2006. He had held the Royal Victorian Order honor since 2011. His coat of arms, which is linked to the Garter, was removed from St George’s Chapel in Windsor the month before.
Official Announcement
The London Gazette published the orders confirming the removals. They stated:
“THE KING has directed that the appointment of Andrew Albert Christian Edward MOUNTBATTEN-WINDSOR to be a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, dated 23 April 2006, shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order.
“THE KING has directed that the appointment of Andrew Albert Christian Edward MOUNTBATTEN-WINDSOR to be a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, dated 19 February 2011, shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order.”
One Honor Remains — For Now
At present, Andrew retains just one notable title: his vice admiralty in the Royal Navy. He received this honorary military rank in 2015 for his 55th birthday. Unlike his royal honors, the authority to remove this one lies with the UK government.
Labour’s Defence Secretary, John Healey, has previously stated that the government would “work to remove” the final title.
Delayed Exit From Royal Lodge
Meanwhile, Andrew is reportedly continuing to push back his move out of Royal Lodge, said to be due to difficulties downsizing from the massive 31-room mansion. Although he was originally expected to vacate the Windsor property early in the new year, The Sun reports that February is now more likely.
Andrew has lived at Royal Lodge for 22 years with his former wife, Sarah Ferguson. Once he moves, he is expected to relocate to the Sandringham Estate, while Ferguson will need to arrange alternative accommodation.
Ongoing Controversy
Andrew’s fall from royal favor has been long and public, intensified recently by renewed scrutiny over his association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The publication of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir brought fresh attention to her allegations that Andrew sexually assaulted her at age 17 — claims he has always firmly denied.
