🔗 Share this article The former Duke of York to Lose Naval Title, Says Defence Secretary The former Duke of York loses his honorary military rank while King Charles attempts to put an end to the continuing controversy involving his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Removal Process In Progress Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is losing his military title of vice-admiral, which he obtained in 2015 and kept even after giving up other armed forces roles in 2022. Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed on Sunday that government officials were collaborating with the king to remove his naval honours. "Typically, the administration follows the rulings and determinations the king has made. Regarding military matters, it's exactly the same," the defense secretary said. Further Repercussions When questioned about Mountbatten Windsor could lose his military medals as well, Healey responded that they were "medals for his service" and added: "There's no current information 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 ties to Epstein following the release of posthumous memoirs by Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was compelled into sexual encounters with Mountbatten Windsor on three occasions, including when she was 17 years old. Newly released emails demonstrate that the former prince wrote to Epstein in 2010 after the latter was released from jail on allegations involving sex trafficking. Through email exchanges made public recently, the convicted sex offender proposed that Andrew meet former JP Morgan executive Jes Staley, who was prohibited from the UK banking sector for life in June for deceiving regulators about his relationship with Epstein. Naval Career The former duke was a member of 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 ceased utilizing most of his armed forces honors 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, amounting to twenty thousand pounds annually. Latest Changes Royal officials formally announced last week he would be stripped of the honors of prince and Duke of York, as well as being required to vacate 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 approved by lawmakers, finally deciding that the king should remove the title entirely using his powers of royal prerogative. Although the removal of honors comes into effect immediately, the former prince 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 festive season.