The Queen has stripped Prince Andrew of his military titles and royal patronages in the wake of a US judge allowing a civil sexual abuse case involving her son to move to trial.
The Duke of York will now defend the case as a “private citizen” Buckingham Palace announced, while it is believed he will cease to be called His Royal Highness (HRH) in any official capacity.
On another highly damaging day, courtiers sought to stem the reputational harm to the monarchy by removing the duke from official royal life while distancing him from the wider family.
In a statement, the palace said: “With the Queen’s approval and agreement, the Duke of York’s military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.
“The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”
It is understood the decision over Andrew came after discussions among members of the Windsor family, suggesting senior royals may have been involved in the decision.
His other military titles include honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth; colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment; colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps; commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm; royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers; deputy colonel-in-chief of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths’ Own); and royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Earlier on Thursday, more than 150 veterans from the royal navy, RAF and army signed an open letter calling on the Queen to strip Andrew of his honorary military roles.
The group of former servicemen and women said they felt “upset and angry” that he remained a member of the armed forces and continued to hold military titles, positions and ranks, including that of vice admiral of the royal navy.
“Were this any other senior military officer it is inconceivable that he would still be in post,” they said.
As head of the armed forces, honorary military appointments are in the Queen’s gift.
Responding to the decision to strip Andrew of the posts, one of the signatories to the open letter said: “I’m just glad he’s not associated with the military now.”
Lieutenant Stuart Hunt, who served in the 1st Royal Tank Regiment, said it was an “unsavoury business” and claimed the duke had brought the armed forces into disrepute.
