In a significant development within the British royal family, Prince Andrew has undergone an official name change following the removal of his royal title. The Duke of York will now be formally known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, gaining a hyphen in his surname that marks his transition away from official royal duties.
The Royal Transformation
The change was confirmed on November 12, 2025, when official documents revealed that the former prince would adopt the hyphenated surname Mountbatten-Windsor. This development represents the latest chapter in Andrew's gradual separation from his formal royal responsibilities, a process that began amid controversy and public scrutiny.
The new name combines elements from both sides of the royal family's heritage. Mountbatten originates from Prince Philip's family, while Windsor maintains the connection to the House of Windsor established by King George V in 1917.
Context and Background
This transformation comes during a period of significant change for the British monarchy under King Charles III. The decision to formalize Andrew's name change follows his stepped-back role from public royal duties, which began in 2019 and became permanent in 2022 following settlements in civil sexual assault cases.
The timing of this announcement coincides with other royal family appearances, including a recent sighting of Andrew alongside King Charles III at the Requiem Mass service for the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral in London on September 16, 2025.
Implications for the Royal Family
The adoption of the Mountbatten-Windsor surname places Andrew in similar company to other non-working royals who have used this surname for official purposes when needed. However, the addition of the hyphen represents a distinctive marker of his changed status within the family structure.
This development underscores the ongoing modernization of the British monarchy under King Charles III's reign, where clearer distinctions are being drawn between working and non-working members of the royal family. The name change serves as both a symbolic and practical adjustment to Andrew's position following the loss of his HRH style and military affiliations.
Royal observers note that while Andrew remains the Duke of York, this surname change further distances him from his former role as a working royal and establishes his identity within the broader Mountbatten-Windsor family framework rather than as an active representative of the Crown.
