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Prince Andrew is set to lose his honorary military rank as King Charles aims to draw a line under the ongoing scandal regarding his brother's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Removal Process In Progress

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor will be stripped of his honorary rank of vice-admiral, which he was granted in 2015 and kept even after surrendering other military positions in 2022.

Defence Secretary John Healey announced on Sunday that government officials were collaborating with the king to remove his naval honours.

"In general, the government has been guided by 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, Healey responded 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."

Background Context

Mountbatten Windsor has been under renewed scrutiny over his connections with Epstein following the release of posthumous memoirs by Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was forced to have sex with Mountbatten Windsor on multiple instances, including when she was a teenager.

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

Through email exchanges made public recently, the disgraced financier suggested that Mountbatten Windsor 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 helicopter pilot 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.

The navy pension is his only current source of declared income after his service from 1979 and 2001, reportedly totaling twenty thousand pounds annually.

Recent Developments

Buckingham Palace officially declared last week he would lose the titles of prince and Duke of York, as well as being made to leave his residence at Royal Lodge and relocate to private accommodation in Sandringham.

Palace officials had worked with civil servants in the government department to avoid the decision having to be approved by lawmakers, eventually agreeing that the king should abolish the dukedom entirely using his monarchical authority.

While the removal of honors comes into effect right away, the former prince is not expected to leave Royal Lodge until after Christmas, meaning he will not be present when the royals gather at Sandringham for the festive season.