Why Prince Andrew Is Still in Line for the Throne After Getting Royal Titles Stripped

Although Prince Andrew—now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—was stripped of his royal titles over allegations connected to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, he remains in line for the throne.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

Though Prince Andrew (now known as Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor) was stripped of his royal titles by King Charles III over allegations connected to his friendship with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, he remains in the British royal family’s line of succession.

As for why the king’s younger brother is still eighth in line for the throne? Removing the 65-year-old—formerly the Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh—from the line of succession would be a lengthy and complex process.

To pass the law, the United Kingdom’s 14 Commonwealth realms—which include Australia, Canada and Jamaica—would have to consent to the change, as would the U.K.’s Parliament under the Statute of Westminster 1931. The Act noted that “alteration in the law touching the Succession to the Throne or the Royal Style and Titles” would require approval from all Parliaments.

Along with needing consent from countries around the world, the move would require a major investment of time and resources in the U.K. In fact, the last update was the Succession to the Crown Act 2013—which removed the rule that male children would take precedence over their female counterparts for the throne—and took two years of negotiations to pass.

But that doesn’t mean there haven’t been circumstances in which royals have stepped out of the line of succession. In fact, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936 after proposing to divorcée Wallis Simpson, making way for his brother King George VI to ascend to the throne. From then on, he was simply known as the Duke of Windsor.

Meanwhile, the late Queen Elizabeth II‘s cousin Prince Michael of Kent forfeited his 54th spot in line when he married Marie-Christine von Reibnitz, a Catholic, in 1978. However, he was reinstated when the 2013 Act removed the clause forbidding royals from marrying a Catholic person.

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As for who precedes Andrew in the line for the throne, first is Charles’ eldest son Prince William. His and Kate Middleton‘s kids Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis follow behind, with Charles’ younger son Prince Harry, as well as his and Meghan Markle‘s son Prince Archie and daughter Princess Lilibet rounding out the seven spots.

Although Andrew’s place in line hasn’t changed, the rest of his royal experience has. Royal expert Sharon Carpenter told E! News in October that losing his titles was the “nail in the coffin and closes the door permanently on any hopes he may have had to one day return to royal life.”

“Realistically, this is undoubtedly the end of any meaningful royal career Andrew may have had,” she explained. “Without a dramatic change in public sentiment and the disturbing narrative around him—which just isn’t going to happen—there can be no return to public duties. From this day forth, he is technically a private individual who happens to have royal lineage.”

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The announcement from Buckingham Palace came days before the release of late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre‘s memoir, in which she reiterated allegations that she had sex with Andrew when she was 17, according to the BBC, which obtained a copy. (Andrew, who previously settled a civil lawsuit with her in 2022, denied any wrongdoing.)

After Buckingham Palace announced the move, it highlighted the royal family’s support for Epstein’s survivors.

“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him,” the Oct. 30 press release. “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.”

For Andrew’s part, he issued a statement earlier that month, noting that the allegations about him have become a distraction from the royal family’s work.

“I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life,” he wrote in a press release. “With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”

For more royal news, keep reading.

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Prince Andrew Removed From Home by King Charles III After Giving Up Title

Two weeks after Prince Andrew announced that he would no longer be using his Duke of York title, King Charles III confirmed that his youngest brother would also be removed from his home at Royal Lodge and stripped of his title as Prince.

“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew,” Buckingham Palace wrote in a statement. “Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.”

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Prince Andrew to Stop Using Duke of York Title

King Charles III‘s youngest brother Prince Andrew confirmed October 17 that he will no longer be using his title Duke of York, due the the continued controversy over his friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family,” Andrew said in the statement released by Buckingham Palace. “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.”

Andrew continued, “With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”