Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly the Duke of York, is to be stripped of his remaining honorary military rank of Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy, UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed Sunday. The move comes at the request of King Charles III, who has indicated he wishes for the final military title to be removed.
The decision marks the final dismantling of Andrew’s remaining formal military and royal honours, further distancing him from institutional roles within the monarchy and armed services. With this step, all his remaining honorary titles are under review.
Healey told the BBC’s “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg” that “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.”
Andrew retained the Vice Admiral rank after relinquishing his other military appointments in 2022, following mounting pressure over his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations by Virginia Giuffre that he sexually abused her as a teenager. He has consistently denied the allegations.
Read Also: King Charles Evicts Prince Andrew, Revokes All Royal Honors
According to his Wikipedia profile, Andrew served in the Royal Navy from 1979 to 2001, including as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War and in command of the mine-countermeasures vessel HMS Cottesmore.
Healey also noted that while medals for his service remain unaddressed, the rank removal is proceeding under the King’s guidance.
Early last week, Andrew was formally stripped of the styles His Royal Highness and Duke of York following an internal review led by Buckingham Palace and sanctioned by King Charles. The decision means he will no longer use any princely or ducal titles in public life.
According to palace sources cited by The Times and The Guardian, Andrew has also been asked to vacate Royal Lodge, his long-time residence on the Windsor estate, to make way for other royal use. He is expected to relocate to more modest private accommodation as part of what officials have described as a broader “slimming down” of royal privileges and assets. The developments mark the end of Andrew’s formal status within the royal household.
The minister said parliamentary or administrative process is underway to finalize the removal of Andrew’s military rank. It will reflect the King’s decision and mark the complete end of Andrew’s formal royal and military associations.