🔗 Share this article

The former Duke of York will be stripped of his naval title while the monarch seeks to draw a line under the ongoing scandal surrounding his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Stripping of Honors In Progress

The former prince will be stripped of his honorary rank of vice-admiral, which he was granted in 2015 and had retained even after giving up other armed forces roles in 2022.

The defense minister announced on Sunday that government officials were collaborating with the king to remove his naval honours.

"Typically, the government has been guided by the rulings and determinations the king has made. In defence, it's exactly the same," Healey stated.

Further Repercussions

When questioned about the former duke could lose his military medals as well, Healey responded that they were "medals for his service" and added: "There's no current information on that, but similar to his vice-admiral rank, we would be directed by the judgments the king makes."

Historical Circumstances

Mountbatten Windsor has been under renewed scrutiny over his ties to Epstein following the publication of late-published recollections by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions, including when she was a teenager.

Newly released emails show that the former prince contacted Epstein in 2010 after the financier got out from jail on allegations involving sex trafficking.

In the correspondence made public recently, the convicted sex offender proposed that Mountbatten Windsor meet former JP Morgan executive Jes Staley, who was prohibited from the UK banking sector for life in June for misleading the watchdog about his connections to Epstein.

Naval Career

Andrew was a member of the navy for over 20 years, including as a helicopter pilot during the 1982 conflict. After a civil case was initiated three years ago, he ceased utilizing most of his armed forces honors but retained the rank of naval commander.

His military retirement pay is his sole existing means of declared income after his service from 1979 and 2001, reportedly totaling twenty thousand pounds annually.

Recent Developments

Royal officials officially declared last week he would lose the titles of royal titles, as well as being made to leave his home in Windsor and move into private accommodation in Sandringham.

Palace officials had worked with government employees in the Cabinet Office to avoid the decision having to be taken by parliament, eventually agreeing that the king should remove the title entirely using his powers of royal prerogative.

While the loss of his titles takes effect right away, the former prince is not anticipated to vacate Royal Lodge until after Christmas, meaning he will not be present when the royals gather at Sandringham for the holiday.