King Charles Banishes Prince Andrew from Royal Life Amid Mounting Scandal and Public Outcry

British politicians, the press, and the public have largely welcomed King Charles III’s decision to permanently remove his younger brother, Prince Andrew, from public life

The move, announced on Thursday, marks one of the most consequential disciplinary actions against a senior royal in modern British history

Charles, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, stripped Andrew of his title of “prince” and ordered him to vacate his mansion on the Windsor Castle estate

The decision followed years of controversy surrounding Andrew’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

According to Buckingham Palace, the king’s actions were taken to safeguard the integrity of the monarchy, which has seen a sharp decline in popularity among younger Britons

The palace emphasized that the royal family’s sympathies “remain with the victims and survivors of all forms of abuse,” despite Andrew’s continued denial of any wrongdoing

In 2022, Andrew settled a civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager after being introduced by Epstein

Giuffre, who tragically died by suicide in April, had detailed her allegations in a memoir released this month

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British newspapers and political leaders have applauded the king’s decision. Headlines such as “Banished” (Daily Mail) and “Finally” (Daily Mirror) captured the public mood

Even during a live BBC broadcast, news of the announcement drew applause from the studio audience

Across Commonwealth countries including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand where King Charles is head of state citizens expressed both relief and concern about the monarchy’s reputation

Royal analysts said Charles’s decisive action aimed to protect the institution from further erosion of trust. However, some commentators, like Afua Hagan, questioned whether the move had come too late to repair the damage

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The king’s decision reportedly has the full backing of senior royals, including Prince William. A palace insider acknowledged “serious lapses in judgment” on Andrew’s part, even as he continues to deny all accusations

Prince Andrew’s fall from grace marks a dramatic end to what was once a celebrated royal career. The former naval officer, once admired for his service during the 1982 Falklands War, had already been stripped of his military honors and patronages in 2022

Recent revelations about his long-standing friendship with Epstein and unpaid rent on a 30-room Windsor mansion reignited public anger

 Andrew had shared the residence with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who is now making alternative arrangements. Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their royal titles

On Friday, camera crews from around the world gathered outside Windsor Estate, awaiting a glimpse of the disgraced prince as he prepares to relocate to private accommodation on the Sandringham estate in eastern England

Writer : Mweru Mbugua