What’s next for Andrew – including who could be the new Duke of York

Now Andrew has been stripped of his titles and disowned by the Royal Family, two major questions have been left unanswered.

People are asking whether the former prince could face jail time over the sex and trafficking allegations made against him by Virginia Giuffre, which he ‘vigorously’ denies.

They’re also wondering who could become the next Duke of York.

Earlier this month, as fresh controversy engulfed his friendship with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew said he will ‘no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me’.

And in a new development, Buckingham Palace said King Charles has ‘initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew’.

‘Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. 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.

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

It was also revealed William and Kate had their say in distancing the Royal Family from the accusations against Andrew.

It is understood that King Charles is in the process of sending royal warrants to the Lord Chancellor, David Lammy, to remove Andrew’s titles and honours.

This means the disgraced royal is now a commoner – and there is new pressure on the authorities to investigate him.

Could Prince Andrew face jail time?

While the Met Police said it would investigate accusations that Andrew asked a police protection officer to ‘dig dirt’ on Giuffre, the former prince has not been charged with any offence.

‘We are aware of media reporting and are actively looking into the claims made,’ the force said earlier this month.

And yesterday No10 said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer ’fully supports’ the decision to strip Andrew of his titles.

A No10 spokesman said: ‘We fully support the decision taken yesterday by the Palace.

‘Our hearts go out to the family of Virginia Giuffre and all the victims who suffered from Jeffrey Epstein’s despicable crimes.’

And trade minister Sir Chris Bryant echoed these words, saying yesterday that ‘the vast majority of people in this country will think that it’s the right thing to do’.

Andrew Lownie, who has authored several books on the Royal Family, told USA Today: ‘This was the most dangerous moment in royal history for 100 years.

‘Here was a royal who was corrupt and who was supported by the institution itself. And the public were absolutely furious.’

He added: ‘I think the public mood wants law enforcement agencies to look at him properly, because there have been fudges in the past.

‘There’s also this attempt to basically influence a government official by trying to smear Virginia Giuffre.’

According to Dai Davies, the former head of royal protection for the British monarchy, if Andrew passed Virginia Giuffre’s date of birth and US social security number to police and suggested she had a criminal record, as the Daily Mail has reported, Andrew committed a criminal offence.

Lownie said: ‘Misconduct in public office, which carries life imprisonment, could be what they bring against him, quite apart from the sex trafficking allegations.’

Andrew now faces the possibility of private prosecutions after the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic instructed lawyers to consider filing a lawsuit against him for sexual assault, corruption and misconduct in public office. 

Republic’s CEO, Graham Smith said on Thursday: ‘If not us, then who? It’s a devastating indictment on the UK’s criminal justice system, police and politicians – not to mention the King and heir – that we must resort to a private prosecution.

“It should be a cause for concern that so many people believe – rightly in my view – that the royals are not treated equally in law. Equality in law is a basic tenet of democracy.

‘I firmly believe there is strong enough evidence to justify a serious investigation.’

Virginia Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, said Andrew should now be investigated after his titles were removed, adding that King Charles could go further by lobbying US President Donald Trump to put his ‘big boy pants on’ and release the so-called Epstein files. 

Mr Roberts told Sky News that the King is ‘setting a roadmap’ for other countries. 

‘But it’s not enough. He [Andrew] is still walking around a free man,’ said Mr Roberts.

‘He’s not going to be living on the side of the road. He should be investigated.’

How many years did Ghislaine Maxwell get?

In December 2021 Ghislaine Maxwell, 63, was convicted for her role in conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse and traffic underage girls. 

She was convicted on five counts including sex trafficking of a minor – and was sentenced to 20 years in a US federal prison in June 2022.

Earlier this year she was moved from a Florida prison to a new minimum-security facility in Texas.

Maxwell has pressed the US Supreme Court to overturn her conviction and sought a pardon from Trump.

Who could become the next Duke of York?

Andrew’s titles will not be used in public. But the reputation of the title of Duke of York has become marred by numerous scandals.

Unless the former prince is officially stripped of his Dukedom, Andrew will hold the title until his death.

Traditionally the Duke of York title has been given to the second son of the monarch.

If Prince William becomes King and nobody holds the title, Prince Louis, when he becomes of age or marries, could be given the Dukedom.

Queen Elizabeth’s grandfather, King George V, and her father, King George VI, both held the title.

Until her father became King almost 90 years ago in 1936, the late Queen herself was Princess Elizabeth of York.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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