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Prince Andrew will be stripped of his naval title while King Charles aims to conclude the continuing controversy surrounding his connections with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Removal Process In Progress

The former prince is losing his honorary rank of vice-admiral, which he obtained in 2015 and kept even after giving up 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," the defense secretary said.

Additional Consequences

When questioned about Mountbatten Windsor could forfeit his service awards 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 judgments the king makes."

Historical Circumstances

The former royal has been facing fresh examination over his ties to Epstein following the release of late-published recollections by Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was compelled into sexual encounters with Andrew on multiple instances, including when she was a teenager.

Newly released emails demonstrate that the former prince wrote to Epstein in 2010 after the latter was released from jail on charges of soliciting prostitution.

In the correspondence made public recently, the convicted sex offender suggested that Andrew meet former JP Morgan executive Jes Staley, who was prohibited from the UK banking sector for life in June for misleading the watchdog about his relationship with 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 Giuffre filed three years ago, he stopped using most of his armed forces honors but retained the rank of naval commander.

His military retirement pay is his only current source of declared income after his service from 1979 and 2001, amounting to twenty thousand pounds annually.

Latest Changes

Buckingham Palace 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 avoid the decision having to be taken by parliament, eventually agreeing that the king should abolish the dukedom entirely using his powers of royal prerogative.

While the removal of honors comes into effect right away, the ex-royal is not anticipated to vacate Royal Lodge until following the holidays, meaning he will not be in attendance when the family convenes at Sandringham for the holiday.