King Charles has formally taken the HRH style and title of Prince from his brother, formerly the Duke of York, now Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The changes were approved by letters patent under the Great Seal of the Empire, published in the Gazette, the official public record of the United Kingdom.
The Gazette entry read: “The King has been pleased by letters patent under the Great Seal of the Realm, dated 3 November 2025, declaring that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of ‘His Royal Highness’ and the titular dignity of ‘Prince’.”
A further announcement confirmed his removal from the peerage as Duke of York: “The King has been pleased by order under his royal handbook, dated 30 October 2025, to direct his Secretary of State to cause the Duke of York to be removed with immediate effect.”
Controversy and context
The decision follows growing controversy over Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s links to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The allegations, including those detailed in Virginia Giuffre’s posthumously published memoir, alleged that Mountbatten Windsor sexually abused her after Epstein sold her. Mountbatten Windsor has consistently denied these claims.
Use of royal prerogative
King Charles used his royal prerogatives and took away the sibling titles. Letters patent and royal warrants, the instruments of this prerogative, have traditionally been used to grant or withdraw royal styles and honors.
Property and Crown Property
As part of the decision, Mountbatten Windsor will give up his lease on Royal Lodge, the 30-room Crown Estate property in Windsor where he has lived for two decades.
Government support
The move was fully supported by the UK government and saw the formal removal of the primogeniture, dukedom and royal style of Mountbatten Windsor.
