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Prince Andrew loses his honorary military rank while the monarch seeks to draw a line under the continuing controversy involving his brother's relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Removal Process Underway

The former prince will be stripped of his military title of vice-admiral, which he obtained in 2015 and had retained even after surrendering other military positions in 2022.

The defense minister confirmed on Sunday that ministers were working with the king to strip his military titles.

"In general, the government has been guided by the decisions and judgments the king has made. In defence, it's exactly the same," Healey stated.

Further Repercussions

When questioned about Mountbatten Windsor could forfeit his service awards as well, Healey responded that they were "awards recognizing his military career" and continued: "There's no current information on that, but just as with his vice-admiral rank, we would be directed by the decisions the king makes."

Background Context

The former royal has been facing fresh examination over his relationship with Epstein following the publication of posthumous memoirs by Virginia Giuffre, who states she was compelled into sexual encounters with Andrew on three occasions, including when she was a teenager.

Newly released emails show that the ex-royal contacted Epstein in 2010 after the latter was released from jail on charges of sex trafficking.

Through email exchanges released on Friday, the disgraced financier proposed that Andrew meet former JP Morgan executive Jes Staley, who was banned from the UK banking sector for life in June for deceiving regulators about his connections to Epstein.

Military Service

The former duke served in the navy for more than two decades, including as a helicopter pilot during the 1982 conflict. After Giuffre filed three years ago, he stopped using most of his armed forces honors but retained the rank of naval commander.

His military retirement pay is his only current source of declared income after serving between 1979 and 2001, amounting to £20,000 a year.

Latest Changes

Royal officials formally announced last week he would lose the titles of prince and Duke of York, as well as being required to vacate his residence at Royal Lodge and relocate to private accommodation in Sandringham.

Palace officials had worked with civil servants in the government department to avoid the decision having to be taken by parliament, eventually agreeing that the king should abolish the dukedom entirely using his powers of royal prerogative.

While the removal of honors comes into effect immediately, the former prince is not expected to leave Royal Lodge until following the holidays, meaning he will not be present when the royals gather at Sandringham for the holiday.