Queen Elizabeth personally told Prince Andrew he was no longer HRH

Prince Andrew was personally told by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, that he would no longer be referred to as His Royal Highness (HRH). The former Duke of York was driven to Windsor Castle, a few miles from his Royal Lodge residence to receive the news. 

There, the 95-year-old Queen told her 61-year-old son that he was being stripped of all his military and royal titles by her, in the wake of the civil suit he faces over sexual assault allegations in the US. The Queen further added that he’d fight the case brought against him by Virginia Roberts Giuffre as a private citizen. 

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However, some reports have claimed that the Queen funded Andrew’s defence from her personal accounts and may continue to do so. Reportedly, the disgraced member of the Royal Family used to receive around $323,000 annually from her. 

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While sources close to the Royal Family believe that Andrew’s dismissal was discussed by Princes Charles and Williams too, Andrew has publicly denied the allegations brought against him and does not have a criminal charge either. However, his attempts to dismiss the case have been overturned by a judge, and his case will be heard later this year in Manhattan. 

Previous members of the Royal Family who have stopped using the HRH title include Princess Diana and Sarah, Duchess of York, both of whom lost their privileges after their divorces from Princes Charles and Andrew, respectively. Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle relinquished their titles to live apart from the Royal Family. 

Andrew becomes the fifth member to stop using the HRH title, but the Queen’s response to Harry and Meghan’s situation and to Andrew’s has been starkly different. 

During the couple’s departure in 2020, the Queen had said, “While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.” 

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Meanwhile, for Andrew, a terse statement from her read, “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.” 

Notably, the Queen had earlier told Andrew that he’d not resume any of his public duties as a member of the Royal Family after news of his association with Jeffrey Epstein and the now-convicted Ghislaine Maxwell surfaced. As per Giuffre’s allegations, she was introduced to Andrew via Epstein and Maxwell, and the disgraced prince had sexually assaulted her thrice, knowing fully well she was underage at the time.