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Prince Andrew is set to lose his honorary military rank as the monarch attempts to conclude the continuing controversy regarding his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Stripping of Honors In Progress

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor will be stripped of his military title of vice-admiral, which he obtained in 2015 and had retained even after surrendering other armed forces roles in 2022.

Defence Secretary John Healey announced on Sunday that ministers were working with the king to strip his military titles.

"Typically, the government has been guided by the decisions and judgments the king has made. In defence, it's precisely identical," the defense secretary said.

Further Repercussions

Asked whether Mountbatten Windsor could lose his military medals as well, Healey responded that they were "awards recognizing his military career" and continued: "I don't have an update on that, but similar to his vice-admiral rank, we would be directed by the decisions the king makes."

Background Context

Mountbatten Windsor has been under renewed scrutiny over his ties to Epstein following the publication of late-published recollections by Virginia Giuffre, who states she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions, including when she was 17 years old.

Recently disclosed emails show that the former prince contacted Epstein in 2010 after the financier got out from jail on allegations involving soliciting prostitution.

In the correspondence released on Friday, the disgraced financier 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.

Naval Career

Andrew served in 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 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 twenty thousand pounds annually.

Recent Developments

Buckingham Palace formally announced last week he would be stripped of the honors of prince and Duke of York, as well as being required to vacate his home in Windsor and relocate to private accommodation in Sandringham.

Royal staff had worked with civil servants in the government department to prevent the decision having to be taken by parliament, eventually agreeing that the king should remove the title entirely using his monarchical authority.

Although the removal of honors comes into effect immediately, the former prince is not anticipated to vacate Royal Lodge until following the holidays, meaning he will not be present when the family convenes at Sandringham for the holiday.