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The former Duke of York is set to lose his naval title as the monarch attempts to put an end to the continuing controversy involving his brother's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Stripping of Honors Underway

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is losing his honorary rank of naval commander, which he received in 2015 and had retained even after surrendering other military positions in 2022.

The defense minister stated 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. In defence, it's precisely identical," Healey stated.

Further Repercussions

Asked whether the former duke could forfeit his service awards as well, the minister answered that they were "awards recognizing his military career" and continued: "There's no current information on that, but just as with his naval title, we would be guided by the decisions the king makes."

Historical Circumstances

The former royal has been under renewed scrutiny over his connections with Epstein following the release of late-published recollections by Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was compelled into sexual encounters with Andrew on three occasions, including when she was a teenager.

Newly released emails show that the former prince contacted Epstein in 2010 after the financier got out from jail on charges of soliciting prostitution.

In the correspondence released on Friday, the convicted sex offender proposed that Mountbatten Windsor 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.

Military Service

Andrew was a member of the navy for over 20 years, including as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands war. 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 declared income after serving between 1979 and 2001, reportedly totaling twenty thousand pounds annually.

Latest Changes

Buckingham Palace officially declared last week he would lose the titles of royal titles, as well as being required to vacate his residence at Royal Lodge and move into personal housing in Sandringham.

Palace officials had collaborated with civil servants in the government department to avoid the decision having to be approved by lawmakers, finally deciding that the king should remove the title entirely using his monarchical authority.

Although the loss of his titles takes effect right away, the ex-royal is not anticipated to vacate Royal Lodge until after Christmas, meaning he will not be in attendance when the royals gather at Sandringham for the holiday.