Buckingham Palace has confirmed a significant change to Prince Andrew's official designation, marking the latest development in the royal's dramatic fall from grace. The Duke of York will now be formally known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after being stripped of his princely titles.
The Official Title Stripping
King Charles authorised a legal document known as a Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm last week, formally removing Andrew's royal status. The historic decision was published in The Gazette - the UK's official public record - on November 3, 2025.
The published statement clearly declared: "THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 3 November 2025 to declare that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of 'Royal Highness' and the titular dignity of 'Prince'."
The Hyphen Controversy
Following the initial announcement on October 30 that Andrew would become Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, palace officials have since revisited the decision regarding the hyphen. After examining the 1960 Privy Council Declaration, which specifically includes the hyphen, the firm decided to revert to the correct format.
The small hyphen makes all the difference in royal heritage, as it connects to a declaration made by the late Queen Elizabeth II regarding her descendants. The official declaration from February 8, 1960 stated: "My descendants other than descendants enjoying the style title or attribute of Royal Highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess and female descendants who marry and their descendants shall bear the name of Mountbatten-Windsor."
Historical Context and Family Significance
Queen Elizabeth originally formulated the double-barrelled name to honour her husband, Prince Philip. The Duke of Edinburgh was reportedly upset upon discovering that his children wouldn't carry his surname, leading the Queen to hyphenate the family name just days before Andrew's birth.
This change represents the most significant demotion of a senior royal in modern history, coming after Andrew's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein caused ongoing controversy. Both Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, have been embroiled in scandal since their connections to Epstein came to light.
The decision for Andrew to relinquish his titles followed extensive discussions with King Charles and other family members, ultimately leading to this permanent alteration of his official status within the royal family.
