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The former Duke of York will be stripped of his honorary military rank as King Charles aims to put an end to the ongoing scandal surrounding his brother's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Removal Process In Progress

The former prince faces removal of his military title of vice-admiral, which he obtained in 2015 and maintained even after surrendering other military positions in 2022.

Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed on Sunday that government officials were collaborating with the king to remove his naval honours.

"In general, the government has been guided by the rulings and determinations the king has made. In defence, it's precisely identical," the defense secretary said.

Additional Consequences

Asked whether Mountbatten Windsor could lose his military medals as well, the minister answered that they were "medals for his service" and continued: "I don't have an update on that, but just as with his vice-admiral rank, we would be directed by the judgments the king makes."

Background Context

Mountbatten Windsor has been under renewed scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein following the publication of late-published recollections by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was compelled into sexual encounters with Mountbatten Windsor on three occasions, including when she was a teenager.

Recently disclosed emails show that the former prince contacted Epstein in 2010 after the latter was released from jail on charges of soliciting prostitution.

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

Naval Career

Andrew served in the navy for more than two decades, including as a aircraft commander during the 1982 conflict. After a civil case was initiated three years ago, he stopped using most of his military titles but kept the rank of vice-admiral.

His military retirement pay is his only current source of official earnings after his service from 1979 and 2001, amounting to twenty thousand pounds annually.

Latest Changes

Royal officials officially declared last week he would lose the titles of royal titles, as well as being made to leave his home in Windsor and relocate to personal housing in Sandringham.

Royal staff had collaborated with government employees in the government department to avoid the decision having to be approved by lawmakers, finally deciding that the king should abolish the dukedom entirely using his monarchical authority.

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