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The former Duke of York is set to lose his honorary military rank while King Charles seeks to put an end to the continuing controversy surrounding his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Removal Process In Progress

The former prince will be stripped of his military title of vice-admiral, which he was granted in 2015 and maintained even after surrendering other military positions 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. In defence, it's exactly the same," the defense secretary said.

Additional Consequences

Asked whether the former duke could forfeit his service awards as well, the minister answered that they were "awards recognizing his military career" and added: "I don't have an update 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 facing fresh examination over his relationship with Epstein following the publication of late-published recollections by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was forced to have sex with Mountbatten Windsor on three occasions, including when she was 17 years old.

Recently disclosed emails show that the ex-royal wrote to Epstein in 2010 after the financier got out from jail on allegations involving sex trafficking.

Through email exchanges made public recently, the disgraced financier proposed that Andrew meet former JP Morgan executive Jes Staley, who was banned from the UK banking sector for life in June for deceiving regulators about his relationship with Epstein.

Naval Career

Andrew was a member of the navy for over 20 years, including as a helicopter pilot during the 1982 conflict. After Giuffre filed three years ago, he stopped using most of his military titles but kept the rank of vice-admiral.

The navy pension is his only current source of official earnings after serving between 1979 and 2001, amounting to £20,000 a year.

Latest Changes

Royal officials formally announced 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.

Palace officials had worked with government employees in the government department to prevent the decision having to be taken by parliament, finally deciding that the king should abolish the dukedom entirely using his powers of royal prerogative.

While the removal of honors comes into effect immediately, 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.