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This is the moment a Question Time audience bursts into applause as presenter Fiona Bruce reveales Andrew Mountbatten Windsor had been stripped of his Prince title. The BBC host paused a recording of the popular political show in Bradford to let audience members know that a statement had been issued by Buckingham Palace, effectively ending Andrew’s public life as a royal. Nearly 10 seconds of applause broke out as Bruce explained that Andrew would no longer be known as a prince. A further brief round of applause then took place as the broadcaster explained that Andrew had also agreed to leave the Royal Lodge in Windsor and would be moving into private accommodation. Reacting to the news on the programme, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the decision was a “huge development and a big step for the King to take”. The minister continued: "As an initial response, I really support the step that he has taken. “I think it sends a very powerful message to the victims of grooming and sex offences.” Ms Nandy later called the decision to strip Andrew of his titles “a really brave, important and right step by King”. The disgraced royal, whose friendship with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein led to his downfall, will now effectively have the status of a commoner. The monarchy was coming under increasing pressure to resolve the issues around Andrew, foremost his property arrangements, amid growing calls for him to give up Royal Lodge after it emerged he was paying a “peppercorn” rent. As the eyes of the world remain fixed on the 30-bedroom mansion, it is unclear when Andrew will leave. He is to move into an undisclosed private residence on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk as soon as practicable, it is understood. Andrew had tainted the reputation of the royal family with his association with Epstein and, for many years, was dogged by allegations he sexually abused Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life in April, after she was trafficked by the financier. He has strenuously denied the allegations. Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Ms Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, thanked the King for the Buckingham Palace statement that mentioned “thoughts and utmost sympathies” with “victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse”. He added: “But it’s not enough, it’s not enough, we have to have some sort of investigation that goes further into this. “I mean, he’s (Andrew) still walking around a free man. I commend the King, I think he’s doing an amazing job as a world leader, setting a precedent, but we need to take it one more step further: he (Andrew) needs to be behind bars, period.” Andrew will move as soon as practicable to an undisclosed property on the King’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk, with the accommodation privately funded by the King, who will also make private financial provisions for his brother. Sarah Ferguson lived with her ex-husband Andrew at Royal Lodge but will not be housed by Charles and will have to find a new home.
