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The former Duke of York loses his honorary military rank as King Charles attempts to conclude the continuing controversy regarding his brother's relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Stripping of Honors In Progress

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is losing his military title of vice-admiral, which he obtained in 2015 and had retained even after relinquishing other military positions in 2022.

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

"Typically, the administration follows the rulings and determinations the king has made. Regarding military matters, it's exactly the same," the defense secretary said.

Additional Consequences

Asked whether Mountbatten Windsor could lose his military medals as well, the minister answered that they were "awards recognizing his military career" and added: "I don't have an update 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 facing fresh examination over his ties to Epstein following the publication of late-published recollections by Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was compelled into sexual encounters with Andrew on multiple instances, including when she was 17 years old.

Newly released 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 released on Friday, 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 deceiving regulators about his connections to Epstein.

Military Service

Andrew was a member of the navy for over 20 years, including as a aircraft commander during the Falklands war. After Giuffre filed three years ago, he stopped using most of his military titles but retained the rank of vice-admiral.

His military retirement pay is his only current source of official earnings after serving between 1979 and 2001, reportedly totaling £20,000 a year.

Recent Developments

Royal officials officially declared 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.

Royal staff had worked with government employees 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 powers of royal prerogative.

While the loss of his titles takes effect immediately, the former prince is not anticipated to vacate Royal Lodge until following the holidays, meaning he will not be in attendance when the family convenes at Sandringham for the festive season.