Palace to reinstate hyphen in Andrew’s surname

Published: 12 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Buckingham Palace is set to reinstate a hyphen in the surname of Prince Andrew, formally known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, following careful review of historic precedent and official records. The change comes after the former prince’s name was altered last month in the wake of ongoing controversy surrounding his connections with the late Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender.

The name adjustment follows a series of unprecedented steps by the King, who removed Andrew’s royal titles and effectively stripped him of his dukedom. Alongside this, the former prince surrendered the lease on his Windsor home, Royal Lodge, as part of efforts to distance him from official royal duties. Initially, the Palace announced that Andrew would henceforth be referred to as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, without a hyphen, reportedly reflecting the former prince’s personal preference.

However, a review of historical documents and royal conventions has prompted the Palace to correct the record and restore the hyphen, creating the surname Mountbatten-Windsor. Royal historians note that this version aligns with the wishes of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the official precedent set in 1960, when a Privy Council Declaration established the surname for her descendants who do not hold royal titles.

The Mountbatten-Windsor name was created to preserve the surname of Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, within the House of Windsor. When Andrew was born in 1960—the first of the Queen’s children to be born after her accession—official records, including the London Gazette, specified that descendants of the Queen not enjoying royal titles or the style of Prince or Princess would carry the double-barrelled name. The declaration was intended to ensure that the Mountbatten legacy continued within the royal family.

The decision to revert to the hyphenated form is consistent with modern usage across the royal family. For instance, the birth certificate of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, the eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2019, used the hyphenated surname, reaffirming its official status. The initial announcement of the unhyphenated form for Andrew’s name had caused confusion among royal commentators and historians, who argued that it deviated from established tradition.

Ian Lloyd, a royal historian and author, remarked, “I was quite surprised when the Palace statement came out giving Andrew’s name without a hyphen, given the historic precedent for one. Prince Philip had often expressed concern that he was the only man in the country unable to pass his surname to his children. The Privy Council declaration allowed the Mountbatten name to endure, and it was important for that legacy to be respected.”

While the reinstatement of the hyphen may appear symbolic, it reflects the broader need for the royal family to maintain procedural consistency and historic continuity in the aftermath of controversy. The former prince has faced years of public scrutiny over his association with Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual misconduct involving Virginia Giuffre, who claimed in her memoir, Nobody’s Girl, that Andrew had assaulted her on multiple occasions while she was a minor. Andrew has consistently denied the allegations, and a civil claim in the United States was settled out of court without admission of guilt.

A royal source stated that the King had acted decisively in removing Andrew’s titles after revelations that he remained in contact with Epstein longer than publicly admitted, thereby misleading the public. “Despite Andrew’s continued denial of wrongdoing, the seriousness of the lapses in judgment necessitated further action,” the source said. “Restoring the hyphen in his surname ensures that official records respect historical accuracy while reaffirming the integrity of the royal family’s naming conventions.”

The Palace’s announcement is expected to be welcomed by some members of the public who have long debated the proper use of the Mountbatten-Windsor name. The hyphen carries historical significance, tying the Duke of Edinburgh’s lineage to the House of Windsor and preserving the intended legacy of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s formal declaration. Observers note that the change will likely have minimal practical impact on Andrew himself, who remains largely removed from public royal duties, but it underscores the monarchy’s attention to detail and procedural accuracy in matters of tradition.

The name adjustment comes amid ongoing public scrutiny of Andrew’s activities and the broader royal family. For decades, the Duke of York’s association with Epstein has cast a shadow over the monarchy, prompting media coverage, public debate, and legal challenges. By reaffirming the historic Mountbatten-Windsor form of his surname, Buckingham Palace signals its commitment to maintaining the traditions and formalities that have long underpinned royal protocol, even as individual members face reputational crises.

In addition to the hyphenation, the Palace is expected to continue reviewing other aspects of Andrew’s public status and titles to ensure alignment with both legal precedent and the monarchy’s internal policies. This includes the management of former royal residences and other privileges tied to his previous position within the family hierarchy.

As public interest in the monarchy remains high, the seemingly minor decision to reinstate a hyphen in Andrew’s surname illustrates how even small details carry symbolic weight. Historians and royal watchers alike will view it as a reaffirmation of the continuity of the royal family’s naming conventions, despite the controversies surrounding its members.