US President Donald Trump has expressed concern for the British royal family following King Charles’s decision to strip his brother, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, of all remaining royal titles and privileges.
The move comes amid renewed scrutiny over the former prince’s past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said he felt “very badly” for the royal household. “It’s a terrible thing that’s happened to the family. That’s been a tragic situation. It’s too bad. I feel badly for the family,” he stated.
Prince Andrew Loses Titles and Residence at Royal Lodge
Buckingham Palace confirmed that Andrew, formerly Duke of York, will also be required to vacate his long-term residence at the Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate. The decision follows sustained concern within the royal household about reputational damage caused by ongoing headlines linking Andrew to Epstein and allegations made by Epstein’s victim, Virginia Giuffre.
Andrew, 65, has consistently denied claims that he sexually abused Giuffre as a minor. In 2022, he settled a US civil lawsuit brought by Giuffre for a reported £12 million ($16 million), with no admission of liability.
Newly published emails and Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, released earlier this year, have reignited media and public scrutiny. In the book, Giuffre alleges she was forced to have sex with Andrew on multiple occasions after being trafficked by Epstein.
Trump’s Past Ties and Comments on the Royal Household
Trump, who was acquainted with Epstein prior to his presidencies, has previously expressed admiration for the British monarchy. During his second state visit to the UK in September, he praised King Charles and highlighted the “special relationship” between the US and the UK.
However, Trump has faced domestic political scrutiny over his own connections to Epstein, with critics noting photographic evidence and public reports of their association prior to Epstein’s death in a New York jail cell in 2019.
Trump’s latest remarks underline his public support for the royal family, emphasizing the personal impact of the title stripping decision and its potential effect on the monarchy’s reputation.
Last Remaining Military Title to Be Revoked
UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed on Sunday that Andrew would lose his last remaining naval title, awarded in 2015.
He had already returned his other honorary military titles and royal patronages in 2022 following the Giuffre allegations. Andrew’s former military ranks included Colonel of the Grenadier Guards and Colonel-in-Chief roles in Canada and New Zealand.
The revocation marks the final formal step in Andrew’s decades-long fall from public grace, which began after allegations surfaced regarding his relationship with Epstein.
US Congressional Oversight
The matter has also drawn attention in the United States. A Democratic congressman has called for Andrew to testify before a House committee investigating the government’s handling of the Epstein case. Interest in the case increased after the Department of Justice confirmed in July that a rumored list of Epstein’s clients did not exist and that no further disclosures would be made.
Experts on royal protocol and US-UK relations note that the removal of titles and residence rights is highly unusual in modern times, signaling the seriousness with which the monarchy views reputational risks.
Professor Peter Hunt, a historian specialising in the British royal family, told M10News: “This is not just a personal rebuke; it is a constitutional and symbolic action that underscores the monarchy’s need to maintain public trust.”
As the story develops, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor remains a figure of international attention, caught between legal settlements, public allegations, and the long-term implications for the British royal family.
Editing by M10News Royal Desk | Contact: royal@m10news.com
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