Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's name could 'undergo another change' in line with late Queen Elizabeth II's 'wishes'
Andrew may have a hyphen added to his name
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s name could see a subtle but significant change as Buckingham Palace reportedly revisits how to style his surname following the late queen’s wishes.
In a formal 1960 declaration by Queen Elizabeth II, she confirmed the royal family’s surname as Mountbatten-Windsor.
The name was established to incorporate Prince Philip’s surname into the royal lineage.
Following Andrew’s loss of his prince title and other royal titles and honours, the palace announced his name as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. However, it noticeably lacked the hyphen.
Now, palace insiders will reportedly look at making a change to include the hyphen as per the late queen’s wishes.
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor may have subtle name change in line with Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘wish’
Days before Andrew’s birth in 1960, Queen Elizabeth II issued a formal notice through the Privy Council stating that her descendants who were not princes or princesses would bear the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.
According to The London Gazette, the UK’s official public record, at the time, the document read: “While I and My children shall continue to be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, My descendants other than descendants enjoying the style, title or attribute of royal highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess and female descendants who marry and their descendants shall bear the name of Mountbatten-Windsor.”
The queen’s declaration cemented the surname in royal history and appeared on numerous official documents, including Princess Anne’s 1973 marriage certificate and the birth certificate of Prince Harry’s son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
Andrew name ‘change’
According to The Times, “Andrew Mountbatten Windsor” was the version of the name agreed upon with him personally and the version he preferred. But that may now be under review.
Mountbatten-Windsor, hyphenated, could become the standard for all future references. The shift would not restore titles or alter Andrew’s royal standing. However, it would bring his name in line with the rest of his family.
The reconsideration of Andrew’s name styling comes amid continued public scrutiny.
The former prince was stripped of his royal titles amid scrutiny regarding his association with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Allegations against Andrew
In recent weeks, a leaked 2011 email allegedly showed Andrew telling Epstein, “we’ll play some more soon”. However, in his 2019 Newsnight interview, Andrew claimed he had cut ties with the financier in December 2010.
Meanwhile, the royal’s accuser Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir published last month following her tragic death in April. Ms Giuffre accused Andrew of sexual assault.
In her book, she repeated allegations that she was made to have sex with Andrew on three occasions at 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.
Andrew vehemently denied all allegations and has insisted he has “no recollection” of ever meeting her. He reached a 2022 out-of-court settlement with Ms Giuffre in her US civil lawsuit against him, without admitting liability.
Since then, he has largely retreated from public life.
Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
Read more: Princess Beatrice’s new role revealed following Andrew scandal
So, what do you think of this story? You can let us know with a comment on our Facebook page @RoyalInsider. We want to hear your thoughts!
