Former BBC royal reporter Jennie Bond has described King Charles’s decision to strip Prince Andrew of his titles as the most "ruthless and decisive" move she has witnessed in more than three decades of covering the Royal Family.
Speaking to GB News, Ms Bond said she was "gobsmacked" by the news and admitted the Palace’s action marked a level of severity unseen even during the darkest moments in recent royal history.
"I’ve been reporting on the Royal Family for more than three decades, including Diana’s death, and this is a crisis beyond anything I’ve covered before," she said.
"King Charles is not a ruthless man but this, you have to say, is ruthless action.”
Jennie Bond said she was 'gobsmacked' by the news
|GB NEWS
The comments come after it has been revealed that Andrew is to be stripped of his prince title and will now be referred to as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
It was confirmed today that the King's brother will also move out of his home Royal Lodge.
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Ms Bond spoke to GB News after the news broke, and said: "King Charles is not a ruthless man.
"But this, you have to say, is ruthless action. To take the title of prince away from his brother and to demand that he leaves the Royal Lodge, which he had pretty secure tenancy on, it has surprised me.
"I came in this evening to this news and I was gobsmacked, but I think that the clamour from the public, from the press and from Parliament the King heard that.
"I think also when he was out earlier this week and heard someone in crowd heckling him about what he knew about Andrew, that was really one step too far."
King Charles was branded 'ruthless' for the move
|GETTY
Ms Bond added that there would likely be “a feeling of relief” inside the Palace that the issue had finally been dealt with, following years of controversy surrounding Andrew.
Andrew has faced controversy in recent years due to his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The royal has always denied the allegations, but Buckingham Palace said today that there have been "serious lapses of judgment".
In a statement, the Palace said: "Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
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"His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence.
"Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation.
"These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."
The statement added: "Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse."