Ask Onix
UK government moves to strip Prince Andrew of final military title at King's request
Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed Sunday that the government is acting to remove Prince Andrew's last honorary military rank-a Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy-following a directive from King Charles III.
King's directive and government response
Speaking on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Healey stated that the King had "indicated that's what he wishes," adding, "This is a move that's right, it's a move the King has indicated we should take, and we're working on that at the moment."
The decision comes days after Andrew was stripped of his remaining royal titles and privileges amid ongoing scrutiny over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Andrew's military career and fall from grace
Andrew, the King's younger brother, served 22 years in the Royal Navy, including as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War and as commander of the mine countermeasures vessel HMS Cottesmore. His decades-long public role as both a war veteran and prince have been overshadowed in recent years by legal and reputational challenges.
In 2022, he relinquished other military titles and royal patronages, including his role as colonel of the Grenadier Guards, after being accused of sexual abuse in a U.S. civil case. He settled the lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, a survivor of Epstein's trafficking ring, who alleged Andrew abused her as a teenager-claims he has repeatedly denied.
Reaction and broader implications
Royal author Valentine Low described the latest move as a "blow" to Andrew, noting that royals-particularly Andrew-"are very proud and determined to hang onto military titles." Low added, "It seems the King is intent on taking absolutely everything away from his brother. It's a flinty-eyed ruthlessness he's displaying."
Andrew's now-defunct overseas honorary roles included colonel-in-chief of The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada and the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment. The government's action marks the culmination of a years-long erosion of his public standing.
