New Delhi, Oct. 31 -- Britain's King Charles has stripped his younger brother Prince Andrew of his royal title and ordered him to vacate his residence near Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday (October 30). The move marks the toughest action yet by the monarch over Andrew's ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew, 65, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, had already been under scrutiny for his association with Epstein. Earlier this month, he was forced to stop using his title of Duke of York.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles has now escalated the matter, stripping Andrew of his princely title. He will now be formally known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The palace said a formal notice ...