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The former Duke of York is set to lose his honorary military rank while the monarch attempts to conclude the ongoing scandal involving his brother's relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Stripping of Honors In Progress

The former prince will be stripped of his honorary rank of vice-admiral, which he obtained in 2015 and maintained even after giving up other armed forces roles in 2022.

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

"In general, the government has been guided by the rulings and determinations the king has made. In defence, it's exactly the same," Healey stated.

Further Repercussions

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: "There's no current information on that, but just as with his vice-admiral rank, we would be guided by the judgments the king makes."

Background Context

Mountbatten Windsor has been under renewed scrutiny over his ties to Epstein following the release of posthumous memoirs by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was compelled into sexual encounters with Mountbatten Windsor on three occasions, including when she was 17 years old.

Recently disclosed emails show that the ex-royal contacted Epstein in 2010 after the latter was released from jail on charges of soliciting prostitution.

Through email exchanges made public recently, the convicted sex offender proposed that Andrew 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.

Naval Career

Andrew served in the navy for over 20 years, including as a aircraft commander during the 1982 conflict. After Giuffre filed three years ago, he stopped using most of his military titles but kept the rank of naval commander.

The navy pension is his sole existing means of declared income after his service from 1979 and 2001, amounting to twenty thousand pounds annually.

Recent Developments

Buckingham Palace formally announced last week he would be stripped of the honors of royal titles, as well as being required to vacate his residence at Royal Lodge and relocate to personal housing in Sandringham.

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

Although the removal of honors takes effect right away, the former prince is not expected to leave Royal Lodge until following the holidays, meaning he will not be present when the family convenes at Sandringham for the holiday.