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The former Duke of York is set to lose his honorary military rank as the monarch seeks to conclude the ongoing scandal involving his brother's relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Removal Process Underway

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor faces removal of his honorary rank of vice-admiral, which he was granted in 2015 and maintained even after giving up other military positions in 2022.

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

"Usually, the administration follows the rulings and determinations the king has made. In defence, it's exactly the same," Healey stated.

Further Repercussions

When questioned about Mountbatten Windsor could lose his military medals as well, the minister answered that they were "awards recognizing his military career" and added: "I don't have an update on that, but similar to his vice-admiral rank, we would be directed by the judgments the king makes."

Background Context

The former royal has been under renewed scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein following the publication of posthumous memoirs by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was forced to have sex with Mountbatten Windsor on three occasions, including when she was 17 years old.

Newly released emails reveal that the ex-royal wrote to Epstein in 2010 after the latter was released from jail on allegations involving soliciting prostitution.

In the correspondence made public recently, the convicted sex offender 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 relationship with Epstein.

Naval Career

Andrew was a member of the navy for over 20 years, including as a aircraft commander during the Falklands war. After a civil case was initiated three years ago, he ceased utilizing most of his armed forces honors but retained the rank of naval commander.

The navy pension is his only current source of official earnings after serving between 1979 and 2001, amounting to twenty thousand pounds annually.

Latest Changes

Royal officials officially declared last week he would be stripped of the honors of royal titles, as well as being made to leave his residence at Royal Lodge and relocate to personal housing in Sandringham.

Royal staff had worked with government employees in the Cabinet Office to prevent the decision having to be approved by lawmakers, eventually agreeing that the king should remove the title entirely using his monarchical authority.

Although the loss of his titles comes into effect immediately, the former prince is not expected to leave Royal Lodge until after Christmas, meaning he will not be present when the royals gather at Sandringham for the holiday.