Despite mounting pressure and fresh revelations about Prince Andrew’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, King Charles III has so far refused to revoke his disgraced brother’s most symbolic honor: the title of “Prince.” The decision has reignited debate over royal accountability, public trust, and the monarchy’s struggle to modernize in the post-Elizabeth era .
New Epstein Disclosures Fuel Public Outcry
Recent court filings in the U.S. have unearthed previously undisclosed communications between Prince Andrew and Epstein, including references to underage girls and private island visits as late as 2005—years after Epstein’s first criminal investigation began. Though Andrew has denied any wrongdoing, the documents have intensified calls from lawmakers, victims’ advocates, and even members of the British public for stronger consequences.
“If this were anyone else in Britain, they’d be facing serious legal and social repercussions,” said Labour MP Sarah Champion. “Why should royalty be above scrutiny?”
Why the Title of ‘Prince’ Still Stands
Technically, King Charles holds the sole authority to strip Andrew of his princely title—a hereditary dignity granted at birth as the son of a sovereign. But doing so would be unprecedented in modern times and could fracture the royal family further.
Palace insiders suggest the King is weighing several factors:
- Legal caution: Removing a royal title could trigger complex constitutional questions.
- Family loyalty: Charles has long sought to avoid publicly humiliating his siblings.
- Public optics: A dramatic demotion might draw more attention to the scandal, not less.
Instead, the King has opted for quiet containment: Andrew was stripped of military affiliations and royal patronages in 2022 and now lives in near-total seclusion at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Public Opinion Shifts Against the Monarchy
A YouGov poll released this week shows that 58% of Britons believe Prince Andrew should lose his title—up from 42% in 2022. More alarmingly for Buckingham Palace, support for the monarchy among adults under 35 has dipped below 40% for the first time.
“The Crown can’t just hide behind tradition anymore,” said constitutional historian Dr. Emma Jenkins. “Every day Andrew retains that title, it signals that privilege still trumps accountability.”
Timeline: Prince Andrew’s Fall from Grace
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Andrew’s disastrous BBC Newsnight interview about Epstein |
| 2022 | Stripped of royal duties and military titles after U.S. civil lawsuit |
| 2023 | Settles lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre for undisclosed sum |
| 2025 | New Epstein documents surface; calls grow to remove “Prince” title |
What Could Force the King’s Hand?
While Charles has resisted parliamentary pressure so far, experts say a criminal indictment—however unlikely—or a major royal crisis (such as a security breach or public protest at a state event) could change his calculus.
For now, the palace maintains that Andrew’s status is a “private family matter.” But with the monarchy’s reputation on increasingly shaky ground, many argue that in today’s Britain, there’s no such thing as private when you’re born royal.
