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The former Duke of York will be stripped of his naval title while King Charles seeks to draw a line under the ongoing scandal involving his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Removal Process Underway

The former prince will be stripped of his military title of naval commander, which he obtained in 2015 and maintained even after relinquishing other military positions in 2022.

The defense minister announced on Sunday that ministers were working with the king to strip his military titles.

"Usually, the government has been guided by the rulings and determinations the king has made. Regarding military matters, it's exactly the same," the defense secretary said.

Further Repercussions

Asked whether the former duke 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 just as with his vice-admiral rank, we would be directed by the decisions the king makes."

Historical Circumstances

Mountbatten Windsor has been facing fresh examination over his relationship with Epstein following the publication of posthumous memoirs by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was compelled into sexual encounters with Andrew on multiple instances, including when she was 17 years old.

Newly released emails show that the former prince contacted Epstein in 2010 after the latter was released from jail on allegations involving soliciting prostitution.

In the correspondence made public recently, the disgraced financier suggested that Mountbatten Windsor meet former JP Morgan executive Jes Staley, who was banned from the UK banking sector for life in June for deceiving regulators about his connections to Epstein.

Military Service

Andrew was a member of the navy for more than two decades, including as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands war. After Giuffre filed three years ago, he stopped using most of his military titles but retained the rank of vice-admiral.

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

Latest Changes

Buckingham Palace 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 home in Windsor and relocate to private accommodation in Sandringham.

Royal staff had collaborated with government employees in the government department to prevent the decision having to be approved by lawmakers, finally deciding that the king should abolish the dukedom entirely using his powers of royal prerogative.

While the removal of honors takes effect right away, the ex-royal is not expected to leave Royal Lodge until following the holidays, meaning he will not be in attendance when the royals gather at Sandringham for the holiday.