Andrew to be stripped of his remaining navy title by King, minister says

The authorities is “working to remove” Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s final honorary navy title on the King’s request, the defence secretary has mentioned.

John Healey mentioned King Charles had “indicated that’s what he wishes”.

Andrew, who was stripped of his title as a prince on Thursday, retained his rank as a Vice Admiral within the Royal Navy after giving up his different navy positions in 2022.

Healey advised the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “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.”

Andrew spent a long time in public life as a struggle hero and prince, however has since suffered a serious fall from grace.

The King’s youthful brother had a 22-year profession within the Royal Navy, and served as a helicopter pilot in the course of the Falklands War.

He additionally commanded the mine countermeasures vessel HMS Cottesmore.

This week, he misplaced his final remaining royal titles and privileges following months of strain over his ties to convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has at all times denied wrongdoing.

Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, royal writer and journalist Valentine Low mentioned this newest transfer, to lose his remaining navy title, might be a “blow” to Andrew.

“Royals, and particularly Andrew, are very proud and determined to hang onto military titles,” he mentioned.

“It seems the King is intent on taking absolutely everything away from his brother. It’s a flinty eyed ruthlessness he’s displaying.”

Andrew had already returned his different navy titles and royal patronages in 2022, and stopped utilizing the title His Royal Highness in an official capability, after he was accused of sexual abuse in a civil case within the US.

He later settled the case introduced in opposition to him by Virginia Giuffre, a sufferer of intercourse trafficking and abuse by Jeffrey Epstein, who alleged Andrew sexually abused her when she was a youngster – one thing Andrew has constantly denied.

Military titles that Andrew lost at the time included colonel of the Grenadier Guards – one of the crucial senior infantry regiments within the British military.

He additionally misplaced a number of abroad honorary roles, together with colonel-in-chief of The Royal Highland Fusiliers Of Canada, and colonel-in-chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment.