Disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor 'still calling himself HRH'
Reports surfacing in March 2026 suggest that despite the official removal of his titles four months ago, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is allegedly continuing to use the HRH (His Royal Highness) style in his private correspondence and social circles.
This act of defiance comes at a high-stakes moment for the former Prince, who is currently "released under investigation" following his arrest in February.
The Official Status vs. Private Usage
In October 2025, King Charles III issued a historic Royal Warrant and Letters Patent that formally stripped his brother of his remaining royal styles.
The Legal Reality: Officially, the Palace declared he would be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
He was removed from the Roll of the Peerage as the Duke of York, effectively erasing the title from all government and state documents. The "Private" HRH: Royal insiders have leaked that Andrew has "refused to accept" the finality of the decision. He reportedly continues to sign off private letters with "HRH" and expects staff and close associates at his new Sandringham residence to address him by his former princely titles.
The Justification: Sources close to the York family claim Andrew believes his birthright as the son of a Sovereign cannot be legally extinguished by a Letters Patent, leading to a "delusional" insistence on maintaining the style behind closed doors.
Why This Is Sparking Outrage Now
The news of his continued title usage has hit the headlines just as the Metropolitan Police investigation into his past dealings with Jeffrey Epstein has "widened."
"Tone Deaf" Branding: Critics, including royal author Tom Bower, have labeled the behavior as "tone-deaf" and "insulting" to the King’s authority, especially given the gravity of the criminal probe into alleged Misconduct in Public Office.
Parliamentary Pressure: The reports have fueled fresh demands in the House of Commons for the Government to fast-track legislation—such as a modern version of the Titles Deprivation Act—to legally ensure he can never use the titles again, even in a private capacity.
The "Counsellor of State" Issue: Government ministers, including Luke Pollard, have signaled they are working with the Palace to remove Andrew from the line of succession to prevent him from being "a heartbeat away from the throne," a move that would be the final nail in his royal coffin.
"A Broken Bond"
The King is reportedly "deeply saddened but firm" regarding his brother's refusal to fade into the background. While the King continues to fund Andrew’s private security and accommodation at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, the continued use of the HRH style is being viewed as a "betrayal" of the King’s attempt to modernize and protect the monarchy.
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