King Charles has reportedly surprised royal watchers by taking a far tougher stance than expected against his brother Andrew, who has long been linked to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
A royal expert claims the King adopted what many see as a “brutal” approach when dealing with Andrew’s past connections to the convicted sex offender. Speaking to GB News, Richard Fitzwilliams said the monarch felt he had no choice but to act firmly because of ongoing uncertainty over what further documents related to Epstein might reveal.
Buckingham Palace announced in October 2025 that Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, would lose his royal titles. He was also ordered to leave Royal Lodge, the Windsor property he has lived in for around 20 years.
Fitzwilliams described the decision as harsh but necessary. He said the King acted out of concern about potential future disclosures and the damage they could cause to the monarchy.
“I think the King is doing what he believes is right, even though it was tougher than many people expected,” he said. “He removed the title of prince when some thought that would never happen. Given the situation, it was unavoidable.”
The expert added that the action may appear late, as the Epstein controversy has dragged on for years, but the pressure has only increased.
“It has been extremely difficult for the King because he does not know what could still come out,” Fitzwilliams said. “The humiliation is unlike anything else, and it has continued to build over time.”
