LONDON (FNN) – In a historic and unprecedented decision, King Charles has stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of all royal titles, including “Prince,” effectively removing him from the public and formal life of the British monarchy.

Buckingham Palace confirmed Thursday, October 30, 2025, that Andrew, 65, will no longer be referred to as His Royal Highness or by any of his former peerages. Instead, he will be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

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

Royal Titles and Honors Revoked

Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, had held the title of Duke of York since 1986, as well as Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, all granted on his wedding day to Sarah Ferguson. Those titles, along with his honors as a Knight of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, have now been revoked.

The move also affects his long-term residence. Andrew has been ordered to surrender his lease at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he has lived for decades.

“His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence,” the palace said. “Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation.”

The statement emphasized that these measures were necessary “notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”

Epstein Scandal and Royal Family Reaction

The decision comes amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and ongoing public backlash over past allegations of misconduct. While Andrew continues to deny all accusations, palace insiders say the King’s decision reflects concerns about the monarchy’s integrity and public image.

“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,” the statement concluded.

According to royal sources, King Charles used his Royal Prerogative—a power allowing the sovereign to manage royal titles and honors without parliamentary approval—to finalize the move. The decision reportedly has the support of Prince William and other senior members of the royal family.

The last time a British royal was formally stripped of a title was in 1917, when Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, lost his titles under the Titles Deprivation Act after swearing allegiance to Germany during World War I.

With this move, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor becomes the first modern royal to be fully divested of all royal status by a reigning monarch.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – Orange County leaders broke ground today on Osprey Sound, a new 100-unit affordable apartment community for seniors located at 5453 Rio Grande Avenue.

Developed by Denver-based Ulysses Development Group, Osprey Sound will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom units designed for residents aged 62 and older earning at or below 70 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).

The County supported the project with a $7 million investment from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund, in addition to $378,000 in impact fee waivers to help make the development possible.

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, District 6 Commissioner Michael Scott, and District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe attended the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the milestone.

“With housing developments like these, we are moving the needle in our community to make housing more affordable,” said Mayor Demings. “The seniors living here will be incredibly blessed with a good place to live. This is going to uplift the entire community.”

Since the creation of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in 2020, Orange County has allocated $58 million to support more than a dozen affordable housing projects, creating nearly 2,400 new affordable units. In October 2025, the Board of County Commissioners approved an additional $58.5 million investment over the next three years, expected to create or preserve an estimated 3,570 affordable housing units.

Set to open in Spring 2027, Osprey Sound will feature a variety of modern amenities, including:

• In-unit washers and dryers

• Stainless steel appliances

• Walk-in closets

• A fitness center

• A business center

• Multipurpose space for resident activities and crafts

• A swimming pool

The Osprey Sound project underscores Orange County’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to affordable housing and improving quality of life for seniors across Central Florida.