The government is working to remove Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s last honorary military title at the request of King Charles, Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed.
Healey said the King had “indicated that’s what he wishes,” and officials are now taking steps to implement the decision.
Andrew, who was stripped of his title as a prince on Thursday, had retained his rank as a Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy after relinquishing his other military positions in 2022.
Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Healey said: “This is a move that’s right, it’s a move the King has indicated we should take and we’re working on that at the moment.”
Military Career and Service
Andrew spent decades in public life as both a war hero and a prince but has since suffered a major fall from grace.
The King’s younger brother served 22 years in the Royal Navy, including as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War.
He also commanded the mine countermeasures vessel HMS Cottesmore during his naval career.
Controversy and Legal Issues
This week, Andrew lost his final royal titles and privileges following months of public and media pressure over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
He had already returned his other military titles and royal patronages in 2022 and stopped using the title His Royal Highness officially after being accused of sexual abuse in a civil case in the United States.
Andrew later settled the case brought by Virginia Giuffre, a victim of sex trafficking and abuse by Epstein, who alleged that Andrew sexually abused her as a teenager. Andrew has denied the allegations.
Overseas and Domestic Military Roles
At the time of returning his titles in 2022, Andrew relinquished his position as colonel of the Grenadier Guards, one of the British Army’s most senior infantry regiments.
He also gave up several overseas honorary roles, including colonel-in-chief of The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada and colonel-in-chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment.
The removal of his Vice Admiral rank will mark the end of Andrew’s formal ties to the armed forces.
Editing by M10News Royal Desk | Contact: royaldesk@m10news.com
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