🔗 Share this article

Prince Andrew is set to lose his naval title while King Charles aims to put an end to the continuing controversy involving his brother's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Stripping of Honors In Progress

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor will be stripped of his military title of vice-admiral, which he received in 2015 and kept even after giving up other armed forces roles in 2022.

Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed on Sunday that ministers were working with the king to strip his military titles.

"Typically, the government has been guided by the decisions and judgments the king has made. Regarding military matters, it's precisely identical," 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 continued: "I don't have an update on that, but similar to his vice-admiral rank, we would be guided by the judgments the king makes."

Background Context

Mountbatten Windsor has been facing fresh examination over his connections with Epstein following the release of late-published recollections by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions, including when she was 17 years old.

Recently disclosed emails demonstrate that the former prince contacted Epstein in 2010 after the latter was released 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 banned from the UK banking sector for life in June for deceiving regulators about his relationship with Epstein.

Naval Career

The former duke was a member of the navy for over 20 years, including as a aircraft commander during the Falklands war. After a civil case was initiated three years ago, he ceased utilizing most of his armed forces honors but retained the rank of vice-admiral.

The navy pension is his sole existing means of official earnings after his service from 1979 and 2001, reportedly totaling twenty thousand pounds annually.

Recent Developments

Buckingham Palace formally announced last week he would lose the titles of royal titles, as well as being required to vacate his home in Windsor and move into private accommodation in Sandringham.

Royal staff had worked with civil servants in the government department to avoid the decision having to be taken by parliament, finally deciding that the king should abolish the dukedom entirely using his powers of royal prerogative.

While the loss of his titles comes into effect right away, the ex-royal is not expected to leave Royal Lodge until following the holidays, meaning he will not be in attendance when the family convenes at Sandringham for the holiday.