Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been ordered to appear before the US Congress to give evidence about his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

The letter stated: "The Oversight Committee will investigate allegations of abuse by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek information on Epstein's operations, network, and associates based on the men's longstanding and well-documented friendship."

Committee member Robert Garcia, the most senior Democrat on the panel, said: "Rich and powerful men have evaded justice for far too long. Now, former Prince Andrew has the opportunity to come clean and provide justice for the survivors."

The development follows a decision by Buckingham Palace last week confirming former Duke of York Andrew will now be known only as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

The Palace said the "censures (were) deemed necessary" amid mounting scrutiny of Andrew's association with Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

According to the letter, Andrew's friendship with Epstein began in 1999 and continued even after the financier's 2008 conviction for procuring minors for prostitution.

The committee's correspondence said it would seek information about that relationship as part of a wider investigation into Epstein's operations and associates.

Andrew's name has been removed from the official Roll of the Peerage, and King Charles confirmed by letter on Thursday his prince title was being revoked.

Reports have also emerged Andrew could face a private prosecution in the UK over allegations of sexual assault, corruption and misconduct in public office.

Andrew has for years denied claims by Virginia Giuffre, who recently died by suicide aged 41, that he sexually abused her on three occasions after she was trafficked by Epstein.

Giuffre alleged one of those incidents took place when she was 17.

Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022, reportedly paying several million pounds, while maintaining he had "never met her" and continued to deny any wrongdoing.

The move to summon Andrew comes after King Charles, 76, formally stripped his younger brother of his remaining royal titles and patronages.

Charles has confirmed Andrew would leave Royal Lodge, where he has lived for decades, having paid what the Palace described as "a peppercorn rent" on the 30 room, £28 million property.

Andrew had earlier relinquished the title of Duke of York and stepped down from the Order of the Garter and the Royal Victorian Order.

His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, 66, also lost her style as Duchess and is now known simply as Sarah Ferguson.

Palace sources said the decision to remove Andrew's titles and privileges was made following discussions between the King, Prince William, 43, and other senior royals.

Andrew is expected to vacate Royal Lodge and relocate to a smaller residence on the Sandringham estate owned by the Royal Family by Christmas.