Prince Andrew has been stripped of all military and royal titles, as per a statement from Buckingham Palace.

It says, “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.” 

Prince Andrew will stop using the title His Royal Highness in his official capacity. Meanwhile, the Duke’s roles will be divided among the members of the Royal Family. 

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The decision comes against the background of Andrew facing a civil suit in the US, as a woman claimed Andrew sexually assaulted her when she was 17. Though the former prince tried to have the case dismissed, the judge ruled that it would continue. 

Andrew’s lawyers have insisted that the now-disgraced member of the Royal Family “unequivocally” denied the “false allegations against him”. While Andrew has not been criminally charged, his case will be heard in a Manhattan federal court, later this year

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Notably, Queen Elizabeth had already barred Andrew from performing any royal duties after the severe backlash faced when his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the paedophile, and the now-convicted Ghislaine Maxwell surfaced. 

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Amid the ongoing case in the US, more than 150 veterans wrote an open letter to Queen Elizabeth saying that Prince Andrew brought disrepute to the armed forces by continuing to represent them. The letter stated, “We are particularly upset and angry that Prince Andrew remains a member of the armed forces and continues to hold military titles, positions and ranks, including that of Vice Admiral of the Royal Navy. We are therefore asking that you take immediate steps to strip Prince Andrew of all his military ranks and titles and, if necessary, that he be dishonorably discharged.”