King Charles has taken the most dramatic step of his reign — formally stripping Prince Andrew of his titles, honours, and home. Now simply Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, he’s been ordered to surrender Royal Lodge and begin a lonely new life in exile. The Palace calls it “necessary,” the press calls it “historic,” and Andrew’s critics call it long overdue. We’ll look at the full fallout, the press reaction, and the emotional statement from Virginia Giuffre’s family calling it a victory for survivors everywhere.
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Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.
Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.
👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! Season 1 is fully available now for everyone. Season 2 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 2 BEFORE REGULAR LISTENERS as a subscriber! Hit that "UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING" Banner on the top of the Apple player. AND listen to Crown and Controversy "NORWAY'S ROYAL REBELS" here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.
👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram or click the links to start your royal journey!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Callarogus Shark Media. Hello and welcome to a special Bonus
Palace Intrigue episode. I'm your Host, Mark Francis. A statement
from Buckingham Palace. His Majesty today initiated a formal process
to remove the style, titles and honors of Prince Andrew.
(00:24):
Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew mount Batten 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
(00:44):
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.
In The Guardian, Robert Booth call this the most consequential
action King Charles has taken since he ascended the throne
(01:05):
in twenty twenty two. The defenestration of Prince Andrew now
to be known only as Andrew mount Batton Windsor, and
the removal of his cherished privilege of royal status is
an act of utmost ruthlessness by a king ascending the
throne at seventy three. Charles always knew he would play
a caretaker role for the monarchy and so could not
allow rot to set into an institution that lives and
(01:27):
dies by public consent. When the BBC this week reminded
the world of a picture taken in the garden of
Royal Lodge, the Windsor home Andrew was being turfed out
of which features not in the Epstein and Maxwell, both
convicted child sex offenders, but also the convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein,
it cannot have been difficult to decide to deliver the
final blow. Charles decided that neither he nor the institution
(01:51):
of the Royal family could be in this together. Ever again,
with Andrew, Charles would no doubt have had his late
mother's views in mind when he signed off Thursday Night's
statement announcing the formal process to remove the style, titles
and honors of Prince Andrew. That notice has now been
served to surrender the lease on Royal Lodge, and that
these censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he
(02:12):
continues to deny the allegations against him in the simplest terms.
The issue also seemed to boil down to a question
of whose side are you on? The Telegraphs Indian McTaggart
told Skyne News the word unprecedented is often overused in
royal reporting, but it's absolutely warranted in this case. McTaggart said.
The King stripping Andrew of all his remaining titles was
(02:34):
his nuclear button, and I think that the Palace left
no room for misunderstanding in its statement released yesterday. There
are few living royals who put as much store by
status and title as he did, so yes, it will sting.
He really sort of used it as a currency with
the friends that he gathered and the various roles that
he had, so this will hurt. It is believed Andrew
(02:56):
will move to Sandringham State, although there have been conflicting ports.
Sandringham is where the royals traditionally spend Christmas, so we're
likely to have another storyline in twenty twenty six, most
notably if Prince William decides to spend the holidays with
the Middletons For this Christmas. The Telegraph is reporting that
Andrews moved to Sandringham won't take place until next year,
(03:18):
saving the King another ugly media cycle. In a statement
to the BBC, Virginia Geoffrey's family said, today an ordinary
American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a
British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage. Virginia Roberts Geoffrey,
our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew,
never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to
(03:40):
her and countless other survivors like her. Today she declares
a victory. We her family, along with her survivors sisters,
continued Virginia's battle and will not rest until the same
accountability applies to all of her abuses and a betters
connected to Jeoffrey Epstein and Gilain Maxwell more in just
a moment. Most of Friday's front pages focused on the
(04:05):
end of Prince Andrew's royal life and the beginning of
life as mister Andrew Mount Batton, Windsor. The Sun led
with the headline the Andrew formerly known as Prince, calling
the move the price to be paid for fourteen years
of damage to the royal family's reputation. Its editorial accused
Andrew of having lied and obfuscated at every turn, declaring
there is now no place in public life for him
(04:26):
and urging that he disappeared from view for good. The
Daily Star echoed the tone, with the royal formerly known
as Prince, joking that we can think of a few
other names. The Daily Mirror went for a single word finally,
alongside the subheading meet mister Windsor. The Guardian reported that
the decision came amid anxiety within the royal household about
(04:48):
Andrew's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and allegations from Virginia Geoffrey.
The Daily Telegraph wrote Andrew no longer Prince, saying the
decision followed nearly two weeks of family negotiation and quoting
a royal source who cited serious lapses of judgment. The
paper added that the Prince of Wales was fully supportive
of his father's actions. The Times ran with Andrew stripped
(05:12):
of his prince title and home, saying the King's brother
has been banished to a lonely life at Sandringham, where
he will live privately funded by the King. It added
that Sarah Ferguson is unlikely to join him, ending their
seventeen years of cohabitation at Royal Lodge. The Independent described
the move as a humiliation for Andrew, while the Eyepaper
(05:33):
called it a historic move to save the monarchy and
described him as a stain on his family's reputation. The
Daily Express declared King removes style titles and honors from brother,
praising the decision as common sense finally prevailing. Meanwhile, The
Daily Mail opted for another succent headline banished. Andrew Mountbatten
(05:58):
Windsor has been officially removed from the Roll of the Peerage,
which serves as the official public record of all peers
and peerages across England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the
United Kingdom. Following the King's decision, Andrew's name was swiftly
deleted from the one hundred and eighty five page document,
which lists hereditary peers, members of the House of Lords
and senior members of the royal family. Andrew remains eighth
(06:21):
in line to the throne, a position that cannot be
altered without parliamentary legislation and the agreement of all Commonwealth
realms where the King is head of state President does
exist for such a change. Edward, the eighth was removed
from the line of succession following his abdication in nineteen
thirty six, but experts say a similar move against Andrew
would be complex and time consuming. Andrew technically remains on
(06:45):
the list of the Councilors of State, senior royals who
can perform constitutional duties on behalf of the King of
he is abroad or unwell. However, as a non working royal,
he is not expected to be called upon to serve
in that capacity. The list of councilors was expanded recently
to ensure that other active members of the family are
available to fulfill the role. The current order of succession,
(07:08):
as confirmed by the Palace is as follows, the Prince
of Wales William, Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales,
Prince Louis of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry,
Prince Archie of Sussex, Princess Lillabet of Sussex, Andrew Mount
Batton Windsor. For the throne to make it to Mister
Mount Baton Windsor, there would have to be unimaginable tragedies
(07:30):
taking out two families who live in two different hemispheres
that said polling suggests people would rather he be removed
were Andrew skipped the line then moved through Andrew's heirs.
Once you run to the end of that list you
find number fifteen, the Duke of Edinburgh, who, in this
extremely unlikely tragic scenario, would seem the right choice. Downing
Street has confirmed that the government will not support efforts
(07:51):
to change the law to remove Andrew from the line
of succession. A Number ten spokesperson said there were no
plans to take such a step. The Government is committed
to us in parliamentary time to improve the lives of
working people, a spokesman said. When asked whether ministers would
seek to block a private member's bill on the matter,
the response was the same. There are no plans to
make legislative changes. Obviously, the provisions for MPs to put
(08:14):
forward legislation are well established. Those would be decisions for
MPs and Parliament. And there you have it. If you'd
like to email us or addresses the Palace Intrigue at
gmail dot com, please follow us at Spotify, Apple or
the app of your choice. This has been a special
bonus episode of Palace Intrigue. We'll have more episodes to
(08:35):
follow on our regular schedule and bonus when necessary. I'm
Mike Francis My thanks to John McDermott.
Callarogus Shark Media. Hello and welcome to a special Bonus
Palace Intrigue episode. I'm your Host, Mark Francis. A statement
from Buckingham Palace. His Majesty today initiated a formal process
to remove the style, titles and honors of Prince Andrew.
(00:24):
Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew mount Batten 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
(00:44):
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.
In The Guardian, Robert Booth call this the most consequential
action King Charles has taken since he ascended the throne
(01:05):
in twenty twenty two. The defenestration of Prince Andrew now
to be known only as Andrew mount Batton Windsor, and
the removal of his cherished privilege of royal status is
an act of utmost ruthlessness by a king ascending the
throne at seventy three. Charles always knew he would play
a caretaker role for the monarchy and so could not
allow rot to set into an institution that lives and
(01:27):
dies by public consent. When the BBC this week reminded
the world of a picture taken in the garden of
Royal Lodge, the Windsor home Andrew was being turfed out
of which features not in the Epstein and Maxwell, both
convicted child sex offenders, but also the convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein,
it cannot have been difficult to decide to deliver the
final blow. Charles decided that neither he nor the institution
(01:51):
of the Royal family could be in this together. Ever again,
with Andrew, Charles would no doubt have had his late
mother's views in mind when he signed off Thursday Night's
statement announcing the formal process to remove the style, titles
and honors of Prince Andrew. That notice has now been
served to surrender the lease on Royal Lodge, and that
these censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he
(02:12):
continues to deny the allegations against him in the simplest terms.
The issue also seemed to boil down to a question
of whose side are you on? The Telegraphs Indian McTaggart
told Skyne News the word unprecedented is often overused in
royal reporting, but it's absolutely warranted in this case. McTaggart said.
The King stripping Andrew of all his remaining titles was
(02:34):
his nuclear button, and I think that the Palace left
no room for misunderstanding in its statement released yesterday. There
are few living royals who put as much store by
status and title as he did, so yes, it will sting.
He really sort of used it as a currency with
the friends that he gathered and the various roles that
he had, so this will hurt. It is believed Andrew
(02:56):
will move to Sandringham State, although there have been conflicting ports.
Sandringham is where the royals traditionally spend Christmas, so we're
likely to have another storyline in twenty twenty six, most
notably if Prince William decides to spend the holidays with
the Middletons For this Christmas. The Telegraph is reporting that
Andrews moved to Sandringham won't take place until next year,
(03:18):
saving the King another ugly media cycle. In a statement
to the BBC, Virginia Geoffrey's family said, today an ordinary
American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a
British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage. Virginia Roberts Geoffrey,
our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew,
never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to
(03:40):
her and countless other survivors like her. Today she declares
a victory. We her family, along with her survivors sisters,
continued Virginia's battle and will not rest until the same
accountability applies to all of her abuses and a betters
connected to Jeoffrey Epstein and Gilain Maxwell more in just
a moment. Most of Friday's front pages focused on the
(04:05):
end of Prince Andrew's royal life and the beginning of
life as mister Andrew Mount Batton, Windsor. The Sun led
with the headline the Andrew formerly known as Prince, calling
the move the price to be paid for fourteen years
of damage to the royal family's reputation. Its editorial accused
Andrew of having lied and obfuscated at every turn, declaring
there is now no place in public life for him
(04:26):
and urging that he disappeared from view for good. The
Daily Star echoed the tone, with the royal formerly known
as Prince, joking that we can think of a few
other names. The Daily Mirror went for a single word finally,
alongside the subheading meet mister Windsor. The Guardian reported that
the decision came amid anxiety within the royal household about
(04:48):
Andrew's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and allegations from Virginia Geoffrey.
The Daily Telegraph wrote Andrew no longer Prince, saying the
decision followed nearly two weeks of family negotiation and quoting
a royal source who cited serious lapses of judgment. The
paper added that the Prince of Wales was fully supportive
of his father's actions. The Times ran with Andrew stripped
(05:12):
of his prince title and home, saying the King's brother
has been banished to a lonely life at Sandringham, where
he will live privately funded by the King. It added
that Sarah Ferguson is unlikely to join him, ending their
seventeen years of cohabitation at Royal Lodge. The Independent described
the move as a humiliation for Andrew, while the Eyepaper
(05:33):
called it a historic move to save the monarchy and
described him as a stain on his family's reputation. The
Daily Express declared King removes style titles and honors from brother,
praising the decision as common sense finally prevailing. Meanwhile, The
Daily Mail opted for another succent headline banished. Andrew Mountbatten
(05:58):
Windsor has been officially removed from the Roll of the Peerage,
which serves as the official public record of all peers
and peerages across England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the
United Kingdom. Following the King's decision, Andrew's name was swiftly
deleted from the one hundred and eighty five page document,
which lists hereditary peers, members of the House of Lords
and senior members of the royal family. Andrew remains eighth
(06:21):
in line to the throne, a position that cannot be
altered without parliamentary legislation and the agreement of all Commonwealth
realms where the King is head of state President does
exist for such a change. Edward, the eighth was removed
from the line of succession following his abdication in nineteen
thirty six, but experts say a similar move against Andrew
would be complex and time consuming. Andrew technically remains on
(06:45):
the list of the Councilors of State, senior royals who
can perform constitutional duties on behalf of the King of
he is abroad or unwell. However, as a non working royal,
he is not expected to be called upon to serve
in that capacity. The list of councilors was expanded recently
to ensure that other active members of the family are
available to fulfill the role. The current order of succession,
(07:08):
as confirmed by the Palace is as follows, the Prince
of Wales William, Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales,
Prince Louis of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry,
Prince Archie of Sussex, Princess Lillabet of Sussex, Andrew Mount
Batton Windsor. For the throne to make it to Mister
Mount Baton Windsor, there would have to be unimaginable tragedies
(07:30):
taking out two families who live in two different hemispheres
that said polling suggests people would rather he be removed
were Andrew skipped the line then moved through Andrew's heirs.
Once you run to the end of that list you
find number fifteen, the Duke of Edinburgh, who, in this
extremely unlikely tragic scenario, would seem the right choice. Downing
Street has confirmed that the government will not support efforts
(07:51):
to change the law to remove Andrew from the line
of succession. A Number ten spokesperson said there were no
plans to take such a step. The Government is committed
to us in parliamentary time to improve the lives of
working people, a spokesman said. When asked whether ministers would
seek to block a private member's bill on the matter,
the response was the same. There are no plans to
make legislative changes. Obviously, the provisions for MPs to put
(08:14):
forward legislation are well established. Those would be decisions for
MPs and Parliament. And there you have it. If you'd
like to email us or addresses the Palace Intrigue at
gmail dot com, please follow us at Spotify, Apple or
the app of your choice. This has been a special
bonus episode of Palace Intrigue. We'll have more episodes to
(08:35):
follow on our regular schedule and bonus when necessary. I'm
Mike Francis My thanks to John McDermott.
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