Shocking Prince Andrew lie that tipped Charles over the edge as Palace makes new move

The monarch took decisive action after it was discovered that his younger brother had told a major lie in relation to his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

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Prince Andrew's royal titles have been scrubbed from the Buckingham Palace website after he sensationally gave them up on Friday.

The swift move from the Palace comes after a long series of embarrassment for the royal family regarding Andrew; from sex assault allegations, to his friendship with a convicted paedophile and being drawn into the collapsed China spy case embroiling the government.

His older brother King Charles had previously seemed somewhat reluctant to take action over his scandal-ridden sibling. But it was the discovery of a shocking 'lie' that pushed Charles to act - and sealed Andrew's fate away from royal life.

An alleged email recently came to light between Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein, sent on 28 February 2011 - the day after the well-known photograph of the Duke, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell was made public.

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In it, Andrew allegedly told Epstein to "keep in close touch" and expressed a wish to "play some more soon". In 2019, Andrew claimed he cut contact with Epstein in December 2010 after the two men were photographed together strolling in New York. But this email is said to have been sent the following year.

Andrew allegedly wrote to Epstein after the photo was published: "I'm just as concerned for you! Don't worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it. Otherwise keep in close touch and we'll play some more soon!!!!" He is said to have signed off with: "A, HRH The Duke of York, KG."

The email was reportedly the final straw for the King, who picked up the phone and told Andrew his life as a senior royal was over in a 10-minute phone call.

Royal sources told how Charles had grown "weary and furious" over the continuing tide of scandal plaguing the monarchy and told Andrew that drastic action was needed to stem it.

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One insider said: "After close consultation with his family, and in particular Prince William, the King summoned Andrew to tell him to do the right thing. He was told it was beyond comprehension for him to continue to enjoy the privileges of his position."

Following Thursday's phone call, Andrew agreed to give up his titles except that of prince, and issued a statement on Friday night.

It read: "In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.

"With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."

Andrew's insistence that he has relinquished his titles 'voluntarily' has raised eyebrows amongst experts. Many see his bullish and brief message as an attempt to retain some control over the situation. But, as a figure who has clearly enjoyed the many privileges and status afforded to him by his birth, it will have been a deep blow to his pride

Since Andrew was a prince at birth, he still retains that title. But experts believe he'll keenly feel no longer being able to use the Duke of York title nor take part in the Order of the Garter.

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He famously had to stop being a 'working royal' in the wake of his disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019, and had therefore already lost the use of his HRH title and no longer appeared at official royal events.

There are growing calls for him to be stripped of his prince title - something the government could do if Letters Patent were issued by the King.

Ed Milliband told Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme: "I think in this we're going to be guided by the palace and the royal family .

"Obviously, all of our sympathies and the sympathies of your viewers at this time are with Virginia Giuffre and her family as to these really concerning set of issues. But I think it's really important as a Government minister, that we allow the royal family to make decisions on these questions."