Not in this together: King Charles cuts Andrew loose to save royal family’s repute

Jettisoning of ex-prince became unavoidable when king's loyalty to his brother collided with task of keeping public on side

• Prince Andrew to be stripped of titles and move out of Royal Lodge

To strip his brother of his titles and to evict him from his home is the most consequential action King Charles has taken since he ascended the throne in 2022.

The defenestration of Prince Andrew, now to be known only as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, and the removal of his cherished privilege of royal status is an act of utmost ruthlessness by a king. Ascending the throne at 73, Charles always knew he would play a caretaker role for the monarchy and so could not allow rot to set into an institution that lives and dies by public consent.