A rare parliamentary move is underway as Members of Parliament have lodged a motion to strip Prince Andrew of his title, the Duke of York, amid renewed public and political pressure over his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and concerns surrounding his lavish Windsor residence.
For the latest news and updates, visit our website Restoring The Mind
A Rare Step in the House of Commons
The move comes as part of an Early Day Motion (EDM) filed by the Scottish National Party (SNP), a procedure that is seldom used to address matters involving the royal family. The EDM calls for the formal removal of Prince Andrew’s dukedom, symbolizing growing frustration within Parliament and among the public about the lack of accountability for the disgraced royal.
Under the current system, the only legal path to revoke a royal title is through an Act of Parliament, a process that typically requires government backing or palace consent. While EDMs carry little legislative weight, they are often used to spotlight controversial issues and apply pressure on ministers.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn stated that the motion aims to “pile pressure on the UK Labor government” to act swiftly. “If the Westminster parties remain stubbornly slow in removing Prince Andrew’s titles, the SNP will do all we can to force them to act,” he said. “The public knows this is the right thing to do, and even more importantly, the victims at the heart of the Epstein scandal know that it’s the right thing to do.”
Controversy Over the Royal Lodge
Adding to the tension, questions continue to swirl over Prince Andrew’s 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor, where it was recently revealed he has not paid rent for over two decades.
Documents released under Freedom of Information (FOI) laws show that the prince purchased the lease in 2003 for £1 million and spent at least £7.5 million on refurbishments. In exchange, the agreement stipulated a symbolic rent of “one peppercorn (if demanded)” per year, effectively allowing him to live there until 2078.
The lease further suggests that if the prince voluntarily surrendered the property, the Crown Estate would owe him approximately £558,000.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle commented that the issue of Prince Andrew’s residency remains “a matter for the palace.” Still, the revelations have intensified calls for a reassessment of his privileges, especially given his withdrawal from public duties.
Fresh Allegations Revive Old Wounds
The renewed scrutiny follows fresh allegations made in the posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre, a survivor of Epstein’s trafficking ring. Giuffre, who previously settled a civil case with Andrew in 2022, reiterated claims that she was forced to have sex with the prince on multiple occasions.
The memoir also alleges that Prince Andrew’s team attempted to “hire internet trolls” to intimidate and discredit her online.
Giuffre’s ghostwriter, Amy Wallace, said the Duke voluntarily relinquishing his titles would represent “a symbolic victory.” Speaking to the BBC, she added: “Virginia wanted all the men she had been trafficked to, against her will, to be held to account, and this is just one of the men.”
Calls for Accountability and Legal Reform
Within Parliament, the motion has reopened debate about how royal titles are handled in cases of misconduct. Rachael Maskell, Labor MP for York Central, has long advocated for mechanisms to remove such titles.
“Every time this comes up, it must be incredibly traumatic for victims and survivors,” Maskell said. “There are mechanisms that need to be put in place to remove a title when circumstances demand it.”
Maskell first proposed the Titles Removal Bill in 2022, designed to give the monarch or a parliamentary committee the power to revoke titles in cases of public scandal or criminal misconduct. The bill mirrors legislation enacted in 1917, which stripped titles from peers who sided with Britain’s enemies during World War I.
Public Opinion and Palace Silence
While Buckingham Palace has not issued any statement on the matter, public sentiment continues to turn against the prince. Many see the motion as a test of how far the monarchy can or should distance itself from members facing serious allegations.
Polls conducted in recent years show that a majority of Britons support stripping Prince Andrew of his titles and privileges, particularly in the wake of the Epstein scandal and his disastrous 2019 BBC “Newsnight” interview, which led to his withdrawal from royal duties.
Political Implications and What Comes Next
Despite the strong rhetoric, experts say the EDM is unlikely to produce immediate legislative change. However, if it gains significant cross-party support, it could intensify the political pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to act.
Currently, Prince Andrew retains his Duke of York title by royal decree. Though he no longer uses it publicly, official removal would mark a decisive break from royal tradition, one that could set a precedent for how future controversies involving the monarchy are handled.
As the motion gathers signatures in Parliament, it represents both a symbolic and political challenge: balancing the preservation of royal dignity with modern demands for transparency and accountability.
