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Prince Andrew will be stripped of his honorary military rank as King Charles seeks to put an end to the ongoing scandal surrounding his brother's relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Stripping of Honors In Progress

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor will be stripped of his honorary rank of vice-admiral, which he obtained in 2015 and maintained even after surrendering other armed forces roles in 2022.

The defense minister stated on Sunday that government officials were collaborating with the king to remove his naval honours.

"In general, the administration follows the rulings and determinations the king has made. Regarding military matters, it's exactly the same," Healey stated.

Further Repercussions

When questioned about the former duke could lose his military medals as well, the minister answered that they were "awards recognizing his military career" and added: "There's no current information on that, but similar to his naval title, we would be directed by the decisions the king makes."

Historical Circumstances

The former royal has been under renewed scrutiny over his ties to Epstein following the publication of posthumous memoirs by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was compelled into sexual encounters with Mountbatten Windsor on multiple instances, including when she was a teenager.

Recently disclosed emails reveal that the former prince wrote to Epstein in 2010 after the financier got out from jail on charges of soliciting prostitution.

Through email exchanges made public recently, the convicted sex offender proposed that Mountbatten Windsor meet former JP Morgan executive Jes Staley, who was prohibited 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 aircraft commander during the Falklands war. After a civil case was initiated three years ago, he stopped using most of his military titles but retained the rank of naval commander.

His military retirement pay is his only current source of official earnings after his service from 1979 and 2001, reportedly totaling £20,000 a year.

Latest Changes

Buckingham Palace 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 private accommodation in Sandringham.

Palace officials had worked with civil servants in the government department to avoid the decision having to be approved by lawmakers, eventually agreeing that the king should abolish the dukedom entirely using his monarchical authority.

While the loss of his titles comes into effect immediately, the former prince is not anticipated to vacate Royal Lodge until after Christmas, meaning he will not be present when the family convenes at Sandringham for the holiday.