🔗 Share this article Andrew to Lose Naval Title, Confirms Defence Secretary Prince Andrew will be stripped of his honorary military rank as King Charles seeks to draw a line under the continuing controversy regarding his connections with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Stripping of Honors In Progress Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is losing his honorary rank of vice-admiral, which he obtained in 2015 and maintained even after giving up other military positions in 2022. Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed on Sunday that ministers were working with the king to strip his military titles. "In general, the administration follows the rulings and determinations the king has made. In defence, it's precisely identical," Healey stated. Further Repercussions Asked whether Mountbatten Windsor could lose his military medals 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 naval title, we would be guided by the judgments the king makes." Background Context The former royal has been under renewed scrutiny over his connections with Epstein following the publication of posthumous memoirs by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions, including when she was 17 years old. Newly released emails demonstrate that the former prince contacted Epstein in 2010 after the latter was released from jail on charges of sex trafficking. Through email exchanges released on Friday, the convicted sex offender suggested 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 connections to Epstein. Naval Career Andrew served in 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 military titles but kept the rank of vice-admiral. His military retirement pay is his sole existing means of declared income after his service from 1979 and 2001, reportedly totaling £20,000 a year. Recent Developments Buckingham Palace formally announced last week he would lose the titles of prince and Duke of York, as well as being made to leave his residence at Royal Lodge and move into private accommodation in Sandringham. Palace officials had worked with civil servants in the Cabinet Office to avoid the decision having to be taken by parliament, finally deciding that the king should remove the title entirely using his powers of royal prerogative. While the removal of honors takes effect immediately, the ex-royal is not anticipated to vacate Royal Lodge until after Christmas, meaning he will not be present when the royals gather at Sandringham for the festive season.