As Andrew’s fall from grace continues further, one of the last remaining titles to his name has been taken from him due to his connections with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been dealt one last crushing blow to his reputation as the scandal surrounding his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. The disgraced former prince has lost all remaining titles afforded to him.
Following a meeting of the Defence Council, it has been decided that Andrew — who had all titles taken off him in October — will no longer be allowed to call himself a Vice-Admiral. Instead, he is now simply known as a Commander within the Navy.
This is the latest in a series of debacles to engulf the former Duke of York, 65, following the fallout from his connections with convicted paedophile Epstein. His home life is also falling apart as he has no longer been allowed to come to the royal’s Christmas celebrations.
According to the Sun, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the council was looking at different ways to remove Andrew’s one remaining title. The politician added he had royal approval, as King Charles had told the Defence Secretary that stripping Andrew of his navy rank was “what he wishes”.
A statement released by the government said: “Following formal consideration, Defence Council have agreed the immediate reversion from the rank of Vice-Admiral to the rank of Commander (Retired) Royal Navy, the rank held on retirement from Regular Royal Naval Service by Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. This decision aligns with such processes as to remove other styles and titles.”
The title had been given to Andrew after he gave several years of service to the Royal Navy. As a result, this is the final major title that Andrew has lost and the most prestigious since he had the title Prince removed from his name.
The move comes just a day after the Met Police confirmed it was releasing Andrew from its investigation and would no longer be pursuing the case. It came after Andrew was probed for allegedly asking his police protection officer to source information on accuser Virginia Giuffre.
Despite losing all his other titles earlier this year, Andrew had been able to keep his Vice-Admiral rank due to his military service. His previous military titles had been given up back in 2022 when Virginia Giuffre, filed a civil case over the allegations he had sexually abused her.
Andrew has strongly denied all allegations made against him by Virginia, who took her own life earlier this year. He settled the case with Virginia outside of court shortly after the case was brought.
Of his various titles that he was forced to give up, many of his titles were given to him from former Commonwealth nations in recognition of his royal heritage. He also held a senior role within the army itself, being a Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.
Royal buff Ingrid Steward says that with even the removal of honorary ranks from his person, Andrew will have suffered a “giant blow” to his reputation. Speaking to the Sun she said: “It is a huge blow because he thinks of himself as an Armed Forces man.
“He’ll be very hurt by that,” she later added. “He might feel that enough is enough, and they’re really digging at him now.”
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