Here’s Why King Charles Cannot Remove Prince Andrew’s Royal Titles Despite Him Being Named in Epstein Files

By: Alec Donaldson | Published: Jan 12, 2024

Last week, deceased billionaire and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein was back in the news after an array of legal deposition transcripts were released that mentioned many of his powerful associates. 

Various documents mention the disgraced Royal family member Prince Andrew, leading to public outcry to remove his royal titles. 

King Charles Urged to Strip Andrew’s Royal Titles

Prince Andrew’s name is mentioned repeatedly in the documents released last Wednesday. 

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Photograph of King Charles, who’s dressed in a long brown coat, standing beside a British flag

Source: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

This has led to many calling for his brother, King Charles, to strip the disgraced member of the royal family of his titles. Yet, it appears the king does not have the power to do so.

New Documents Stem From 2015 Lawsuit

In 2015, Virginia Giuffre, one of the many victims trafficked by Epstein and his accomplices, decided to file a lawsuit against the billionaire. 

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Prince Andrew pictured alongside his brother, King Charles, during an event

Source: @ShaykhSulaiman/X

According to the filings, Johanna Sjoberg claims the Duke of York groped Ms. Giuffre’s breast as the pair posed for a photo alongside the now-deceased Epstein and his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

Prince Andrew Denies Any Wrongdoing

Back in 2019, Prince Andrew joined the BBC for an interview in which he claimed he had “no recollection of ever meeting” Giuffre.

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Prince Andrew poses with 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre alongside Ghislaine Maxwell

Source: @haroldas194/Reddit

However, after a photo of Andrew with Virginia began circulating online, the prince decided to step back from public duties. 

Andrews Association With Jeffery Epstein

Throughout the entirety of the scandal, Prince Andrew admitted his friendship with Epstein has grealy disturbed the royal families duties. 

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Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein, and Ghislane Maxwell attend a party at Windsor Castle, having been invited by Prince Andrew

Source: @RonEng1ish

“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein have become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organizations and charities that I am proud to support,” he said in an interview. 

British Prince Tries to Distance Himself From Epstein

Andrew did his best to distance himself from the major players in Epstein’s ring, claiming on several occasions that he would do everything he could to help with the investigation. 

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, leave the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church.

Source: Stephen Pond/Getty Images

“I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathize with everyone who has been affected. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required,” said Prince Andrew. 

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Prince Andrew Sexual Assault Case

Fast forward a few years, and Prince Andrew would find himself at the center of a civil case brought forth by Virginia Giuffre in 2022. However, the charges were later dismissed. 

Prince Andrew pictured alongside Jeffrey Epstein as the pair walk through a park

Source: @brewerelac/X

Virginia claimed the brother of the British King had sex with her after she’d been trafficked to one of Epstein’s locations.

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Queen Strips Andrew of Titles

In the wake of the civil lawsuit, Andrew’s aging Queen mother was forced to strip the prince of his military title and patronages.

Queen Elizabeth II pictured during a trip to Germany in 2015

Source: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

According to reports, the decision to do so was “widely discussed” amongst the senior figures of the royal family.

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Still in Line to Become King

While Prince Andrew lost his military affiliations, the disgraced royal family member is still eighth in line to become king. 

Prince Andrew pulls an unusual face as he’s pictured during a royal event

Source: @ScotNational/X

He also kept his title as the Duke of York. Yet, he can no longer use the name “His Royal Highness” in any official setting.

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Case Dismissed After £12 Million Payout

Eventually, the case against Prince Andrew was dismissed. According to reports, the Duke of York paid a significant sum to Giuffre, estimated to be as much as £12 million.

Prince Andrew pictured in the backseat of a moving vehicle as he leaves a royal event

Source: @JimFergusonUK/X

Prince Andrew never revealed where he sourced the money, even after the public demanded it. Many believe his recently deceased Queen mother and his brother, King Charles, may have contributed. 

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King Unlikely to Remove Andrew Titles

With Andrew’s name in the headlines yet again, talks have resurfaced about whether or not King Charles would remove the Prince’s royal status or titles. 

King Charles is pictured seated beside his brother, Prince Andrew, at an event

Source: @KaiseratCB/X

Yet, according to Gert’s Royals reports, the King doesn’t have that power. According to the Blog on X, only the British parliament can remove royal titles. 

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Parliament Holds the Power to Remove Titles

“Parliament can remove titles. But they will find it difficult in this case. The legislative branch (Parliament) or executive branch (Honors Forfeiture Committee) don’t have the powers to decide if someone is guilty of a crime,” said Royal Gert.

The new Lord Speaker, Lord Norman Fowler, speaks in the House of Lords chamber during his first sitting in Parliament in 2016

Source: WPA Pool/Getty Images

“It is the judicial branch’s (Courts) job to determine if someone is guilty. And then other branches can act on that decision. And since there have never been any charges or convictions against Prince Andrew, in the eyes of the U.K. government, he is innocent,” they continued

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