Andrew has been stripped of his royal titles, Buckingham Palace has said.

It means the former prince will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

A notice has also been served for Andrew to surrender his lease at the Royal Lodge.

The decision from the King follows continued criticism about Andrew's former friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein , which was recently intensified by a string of damaging leaks.

Virginia Giuffre, who died in April, accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her after being introduced by Epstein. Andrew has always vehemently denied her accusations.

What has Buckingham Palace said?

In a statement on Thursday evening, Buckingham Palace announced the King had started the formal process"to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew".

"His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation," the statement added.

"These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

"Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse."

Why is this happening now?

The move from the King follows fresh allegations against Andrew, after he announced he would no longer use his royal titles.

Among them was an allegation he sought to dig up information on Ms Giuffre through a Met bodyguard.

It also emerged he had been paying a"peppercorn rent" on his property - piling pressure on him staying at Royal Lodge.

Andrew has not released a statement following Thursday's announcement, but it is understood he has not objected to it.

What has Virginia Giuffre's family said?

The family of Andrew's accuser, who say she died by suicide, said Ms Giuffre"brought down a British prince".

"Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage," they said in a statement.

"Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and countless other survivors like her.

"Today, she declares a victory. We, her family, along with her survivor sisters, continue Virginia's battle and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of her abusers and abetters, connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell."

Andrew settled a case with Ms Giuffre in 2022 outside of court for a sum reported to have been around £12m. Andrew has always denied the allegations against him.

In an interview with Sky News, Ms Giuffre's brother, Sky Roberts, said:"[Virginia] should be sitting on this camera with you right now celebrating this but also demanding more justice.

"I think it's a mixed bag of emotions over the last 24 hours but we are just hell bent to not let her voice die."

What have other royal family members said?

It is understood the King's decision has been welcomed by the wider family, including Prince William.

It also appears the UK government was consulted in the process and has deemed the move constitutionally proper and appropriate.

What will happen to Sarah, Eugenie and Beatrice?

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice will retain their titles because they are the daughters of the son of a sovereign.

Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who had lost her Duchess of York title after Andrew gave up his earlier this month, will make her own living arrangements as well, it is understood.

Together they shared his 30-room Windsor home.

Where will Andrew go next?

The former prince will move, as soon as practicable, to an undisclosed property on the King's Sandringham estate.

There have been reports that Prince William wanted the matter resolved quickly and his uncle out of Royal Lodge by Bonfire night - 5 November - as the prince is due to move his young family to their forever home at Forest Lodge, near Andrew's home, in the coming days.

However, it is understood that Andrew will not relocate until after Christmas, due to the lengthy process of giving up his Windsor mansion.

Sandringham House has been the private home of five generations of British monarchs for more than 150 years and its vast estate includes 16,000 acres of farmland, 3,500 acres of woodland and 150 properties.

It is where the King usually spends Christmas - and the delay in Andrew's move will mean any encounters over the festive period are avoided.

Who will fund Andrew's next accommodation?

That will be privately funded by the King, who will support Andrew with private financial provisions.

How will the titles be removed?

Lord Chancellor, David Lammy, will play a role in the removal of Andrew's titles.

Because of his role, he is responsible for maintaining the peerage roll.

Mr Lammy, who is also Justice Secretary, is being sent royal warrants by the King to strike the Duke from the roll along with his Prince title and HRH style.

Could Andrew still become king?

Charles's dramatic decision effectively ends Andrew's public life and leaves him with the status of a commoner - but he remains eighth in line to the throne.

As of Friday afternoon, Andrew was still listed on the Royal Family's website as eighth in line to the throne - by his now out-of-date title"Duke of York" - just behind Prince Harry's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Sky's royal commentator Alastair Bruce has said that while"in terms of the order of succession nothing changes," there's one thing that would likely stop Andrew from ever becoming monarch.

"I think we should never forget that parliament is sovereign," he said."And the order of succession exists to delineate who would come next, but it's up to parliament to decide whether it wants that person.

"So I think whether he stays on the order of succession or not, it's highly unlikely, in fact it would never happen, that he would be allowed to succeed."