King Charles strips brother Andrew of his titles and kicks him out of royal residence

Pictured: Andrew and King Charles

King Charles has taken the extraordinary step of starting the process to strip his brother, Andrew, of his royal titles and evict him from the royal estate at Windsor. It was the most dramatic decision yet to quell the scandal over Andrew's links to sex trafficker and abuser Jeffrey Epstein .

Andrew, 65, has faced occasional controversy over his friendship with Epstein for 15 years, which was compounded by the publication of a memoir by Virginia Giuffre , who alleged that Andrew sexually assaulted her as a teenager.

A photo showing Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in the corner.

Virginia Giuffre - who the prince claims he never met - died by suicide in April at the age of 41. Andrew has consistently denied all allegations against him.

Giuffre's family said in a statement on Thursday: "Today, an ordinary American girl, from an ordinary American family, brought down a British prince with her extraordinary truth and courage."

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said Andrew would be forced to step down from his royal duties and take on the family surname. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. “These decisions are considered necessary, despite the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him,” the palace said.

Despite the announcement, Andrew remains eighth in line to the British throne. This status could be removed by legislation, but it would require the consent of Commonwealth nations around the world, which would take time.

"Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts have been and remain with the victims and survivors of all forms of abuse," Buckingham Palace added in the statement.

Virginia Giuffre's family said in a statement that they would fight to ensure Epstein's other associates face justice. "Our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for justice for what happened to her and countless survivors like her."

Calls for Andrew to face justice continue. The anti-monarchy group Republic said on Thursday that it had instructed lawyers to launch a private prosecution against Andrew “on allegations of sexual offences and misconduct as a public figure.”

Andrew's daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, will retain their titles as they are the daughters of a sovereign's son - in accordance with rules set out by King George V in 1917.