Question Time audience's telling reaction as show halted for Prince Andrew news
Fiona Bruce halted Question Time on Thursday night to discuss the bombshell announcement that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had been stripped of all royal titles
The audience of Question Time had an interesting response to Andrew's bombshell news. On Thursday, the evening the show is filmed, Buckingham Palace issued a rare statement – confirming that the King had started the process of stripping the man previously known as Prince Andrew of all of his royal titles.
As discussions got underway relating to benefits being cut for those who suffer from anxiety, host Fiona interrupted saying: "I'm stopping recording because we have a breaking story which we should respond to. So, Prince Andrew," as the audience started to laugh.
Fiona continued: "The King has initiated a process, so we're going to discuss this. Prince Andrew will no longer be Prince Andrew," to which the crowd clapped. "He will be Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor," she continued, adding: "He will surrender the lease to his home and he will find alternative private accommodation," to which the audience continued applauding.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy MP was sitting on the panel and was asked for her response. She said: "This is a huge development and a big step for the King to take.
"I have to say, as an initial response, I really support the step he's taken," as she was interrupted by the cheering crowd. Lisa continued: "I think this sends a very powerful message to the victims of grooming and sex offences.
"I used to work with children who'd been abused before I came into Parliament, including many of the girls who had been horrifically abused by the grooming gangs. I read some of the testimony from some of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. Not just at the time but recently with new stories that have come to light.
"I think given the new information that we have, I think this is a really brave, important and right step by the King." Andrew has found himself engulfed in scandals due to his links with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
He was accused of having sex with a then-17-year-old Virginia Giuffre in March 2001. Ms Giuffre claimed she had been trafficked by Epstein and his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and allegedly had sex with Andrew after meeting him at Tape nightclub in London.
She alleged that Epstein had paid her $15,000 after sleeping with Andrew. The royal vehemently denies the allegations, and during an interview with BBC's Newsnight, he said he had no recollection of ever meeting Virginia. But Buckingham Palace considers that there have been "serious lapses in judgement".
On Thursday night, Buckingham Palace said: "His Majesty has today 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. Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse."
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