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Prince Andrew will be stripped of his naval title while King Charles seeks to conclude the ongoing scandal involving his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Stripping of Honors Underway

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is losing his military title of naval commander, which he obtained in 2015 and maintained even after surrendering other military positions in 2022.

The defense minister confirmed on Sunday that government officials were collaborating with the king to remove his naval honours.

"In general, the administration follows the decisions and judgments the king has made. Regarding military matters, it's exactly the same," the defense secretary said.

Additional Consequences

When questioned about the former duke could lose his military medals as well, the minister answered that they were "medals for his service" and continued: "I don't have an update on that, but just as with his vice-admiral rank, we would be guided by the decisions the king makes."

Historical Circumstances

The former royal has been facing fresh examination over his connections with Epstein following the publication of posthumous memoirs by Virginia Giuffre, who states she was compelled into sexual encounters with Andrew on three occasions, including when she was 17 years old.

Recently disclosed emails demonstrate that the former prince contacted Epstein in 2010 after the financier got out from jail on allegations involving sex trafficking.

In the correspondence 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 misleading the watchdog 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 Falklands war. After a civil case was initiated three years ago, he ceased utilizing most of his military titles but kept the rank of vice-admiral.

His military retirement pay is his sole existing means of official earnings after serving between 1979 and 2001, reportedly totaling twenty thousand pounds annually.

Latest Changes

Buckingham Palace officially declared last week he would be stripped of the honors of prince and Duke of York, as well as being made to leave his residence at Royal Lodge and relocate to personal housing in Sandringham.

Royal staff had collaborated with government employees in the government department 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 takes effect right away, the former prince is not expected to leave Royal Lodge until after Christmas, meaning he will not be in attendance when the royals gather at Sandringham for the holiday.