Britain’s King Charles has begun formal proceedings to strip his younger brother Prince Andrew of his royal titles and ordered him to vacate his Windsor residence, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday (local time).

The decision comes amid renewed public scrutiny of the 65-year-old Duke of York’s association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir “Nobody’s Girl”. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at the age of 41, had accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager–allegations the prince has repeatedly denied, CNN reported.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said, “His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.” It further added,

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