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Prince Andrew will be stripped of his honorary military rank while King Charles aims to put an end to the ongoing scandal surrounding his connections with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Removal Process Underway

The former prince will be stripped of his honorary rank of naval commander, which he obtained in 2015 and had retained even after giving up other armed forces roles in 2022.

The defense minister confirmed on Sunday that government officials were collaborating with the king to strip his military titles.

"In general, the administration follows the decisions and judgments the king has made. Regarding military matters, it's exactly the same," the defense secretary said.

Further Repercussions

Asked whether the former duke 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 similar to his vice-admiral rank, we would be directed by the judgments the king makes."

Historical Circumstances

The former royal has been under renewed scrutiny over his connections with Epstein following the publication of posthumous memoirs by Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was compelled into sexual encounters with Mountbatten Windsor on multiple instances, including when she was a teenager.

Recently disclosed emails show that the former prince contacted Epstein in 2010 after the latter was released from jail on charges of soliciting prostitution.

Through email exchanges released on Friday, the convicted sex offender suggested that Mountbatten Windsor meet former JP Morgan executive Jes Staley, who was prohibited from the UK banking sector for life in June for misleading the watchdog 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 1982 conflict. After Giuffre filed three years ago, he ceased utilizing most of his military titles but kept the rank of vice-admiral.

His military retirement pay is his only current source of official earnings after his service from 1979 and 2001, amounting to twenty thousand pounds annually.

Latest Changes

Buckingham Palace officially declared last week he would lose the titles of royal titles, as well as being required to vacate his residence at Royal Lodge and move into private accommodation in Sandringham.

Palace officials had worked with government employees in the Cabinet Office to avoid the decision having to be approved by lawmakers, finally deciding that the king should remove the title entirely using his monarchical authority.

Although the loss of his titles comes into effect immediately, the former prince is not expected to leave Royal Lodge until following the holidays, meaning he will not be present when the family convenes at Sandringham for the festive season.