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The former Duke of York is set to lose his naval title as King Charles attempts to conclude the ongoing scandal regarding his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Removal Process In Progress

The former prince 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 announced on Sunday that ministers were working with the king to remove his naval honours.

"In general, the government has been guided by the rulings and determinations the king has made. Regarding military matters, it's precisely identical," the defense secretary said.

Further Repercussions

Asked whether the former duke could forfeit his service awards as well, the minister answered that they were "medals for his service" and added: "I don't have an update on that, but similar to his naval title, we would be guided by the decisions the king makes."

Background Context

The former royal has been under renewed scrutiny over his ties to Epstein following the release of late-published recollections by Virginia Giuffre, who states she was forced to have sex with Mountbatten Windsor on multiple instances, including when she was 17 years old.

Newly released emails reveal that the ex-royal contacted Epstein in 2010 after the financier got out from jail on allegations involving soliciting prostitution.

Through email exchanges released on Friday, the convicted sex offender proposed that Andrew meet former JP Morgan executive Jes Staley, who was prohibited from the UK banking sector for life in June for deceiving regulators about his connections to Epstein.

Military Service

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 vice-admiral.

The navy pension is his sole existing means of declared income after serving between 1979 and 2001, reportedly totaling £20,000 a year.

Latest Changes

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

Royal staff had worked with government employees in the Cabinet Office to prevent the decision having to be approved by lawmakers, finally deciding that the king should abolish the dukedom entirely using his monarchical authority.

While the loss of his titles takes effect immediately, the ex-royal is not expected to leave Royal Lodge until following the holidays, meaning he will not be present when the royals gather at Sandringham for the holiday.