Yesterday evening, news broke that Prince Andrew, Duke of York, had been stripped of his prince title and would henceforth be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. This significant development, confirmed by Buckingham Palace, cited "censures deemed necessary" amid the ongoing scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein, whom Andrew had lied about cutting ties with. The Palace also announced his departure from Royal Lodge in Windsor after two decades, with a formal process initiated by King Charles III to remove Andrew's style, titles, and honours.

Coinciding with this royal bombshell, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, shared a photograph on Instagram via her 'As Ever' handle, beaming towards the camera while tending to flowers. The image was quickly deleted, with fans suggesting it was a scheduled post that was scrapped to avoid appearing inappropriate given the breaking news regarding Prince Harry's uncle. Historically, tensions have been reported between Andrew and the Sussexes, with Andrew allegedly telling Harry his marriage wouldn't last and branding Meghan an "opportunist" who was too old for him.

The King's decision to strip Andrew of his titles was a complex and carefully managed process, supported by Prince William and the wider Royal Family. Sources close to the matter indicated that the move was entirely at the King's discretion, without government pressure, and followed a period of difficult negotiations. The process to formally remove Andrew’s entitlement to use his prince and HRH style, which had been underway for some time, gained urgency due to serious lapses in judgment concerning his involvement with Epstein. Buckingham Palace also explicitly stated that their thoughts and sympathies remain with the victims and survivors of abuse, an acknowledgment welcomed by Virginia Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, who interpreted it as a royal admission that "something occurred" between Andrew and his sister.

Prince Andrew is expected to receive a substantial relocation settlement and an annual stipend from King Charles III's private funds, designed to prevent overspending as he transitions to life as a commoner. One option includes an initial six-figure sum to facilitate his move from Royal Lodge to private accommodation in Sandringham, followed by an annuity several times his £20k-a-year navy pension. While discussions are ongoing, Andrew is not expected to vacate Royal Lodge until after Christmas, allowing him to conveniently avoid the traditional royal gathering at Sandringham.

A significant catalyst for the King's action was the posthumously published memoir of Virginia Giuffre, 'Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice.' Giuffre, who tragically took her own life this year, alleged in her book that she was trafficked by Epstein three times for sex with Andrew, describing him as "entitled" and viewing sex as his "birthright." She recounted a "thank you" from Andrew after their alleged first encounter and praise from Ghislaine Maxwell. Despite Andrew denying these allegations, he had previously paid millions in an out-of-court settlement in February 2022. The Palace's statement emphasized that the censures were necessary, "notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

In the wake of the Giuffre scandal, Andrew faces a private prosecution for alleged sexual assault, corruption, and misconduct. Scotland Yard is also conducting two inquiries: a "scoping" exercise into whether Giuffre's memoirs necessitate a full criminal investigation, and a second inquiry into claims that Andrew tried to have his police protection officers "dig up dirt" on Giuffre. The move to strip Andrew of his titles also reflects concerns from Queen Camilla regarding his impact on her work with sexual abuse victims, and frustration from Prince William and Kate over his perceived lack of acknowledgment of victims.

While Andrew navigates these grave matters, Meghan Markle's 'As Ever' brand has continued its promotional efforts, especially following the release of its first-ever Christmas collection. The festive range includes Signature Candle No. 519, inspired by her wedding date and scented with Moroccan mint, cardamom, and tea leaves, and Signature Candle No. 084, named after her August 4 birthday, with notes of water lotus, sandalwood, and California poppy. A new addition is a 2021 Vintage Napa Valley Brut wine, costing $89 a bottle, with a minimum purchase requirement to avoid shipping fees. The brand has been actively reposting fans showcasing their products.

Despite the severe repercussions, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor astonishingly remains eighth in the line of succession to the throne, a change that would require primary legislation not currently planned. He also retains his status as an inactive counsellor of state, although Parliament has been assured that only working royals would be eligible to act as stand-ins for the monarch. His "cast-iron" lease on Royal Lodge, which had over 50 years remaining, was surrendered after negotiations with the King's representatives, marking the end of an era for the former Duke of York.