Prince Andrew Faces Removal of Vice Admiral Rank After Losing Royal Titles

Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed that Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, could lose his honorary rank of vice admiral.

Andrew received the title on his 55th birthday in 2015 and kept it even after stepping back from his other military roles in 2022. Speaking on Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Healey said:

“Andrew has already given up his former military positions, and we’re now reviewing his remaining honorary role as vice admiral — a process that’s being guided by the King.”

When asked whether Parliament might act to remove Andrew from the royal line of succession, Healey replied that such matters were for the King to decide, adding that it was “neither here nor there” since Andrew had already lost his royal titles.

Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake also dismissed the idea of parliamentary action, saying:

“Andrew’s eighth in line to the throne. Parliament has far more pressing issues than legislating for something that will never happen.”

Earlier this week, the King officially stripped Andrew of his “Prince” and “Duke of York” titles due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He will now reside at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with his living arrangements funded privately by the King.

In October, Andrew had reportedly agreed to stop using his titles but to retain his dukedom, just before the release of memoirs by Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of sexual assault as a teenager after being trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Andrew has repeatedly denied all allegations.

Giuffre’s family welcomed the King’s decision, saying that “an ordinary American girl brought down a British prince through her truth and courage.”

Meanwhile, the US House Oversight Committee has invited Andrew to testify in its ongoing investigation into the Epstein scandal, with several members calling it an opportunity for him to clear his name.
Attorney Spencer Kuvin, who represents nine alleged Epstein victims, told Sky News:

“Andrew should come forward, face questioning by US authorities, and finally speak openly about his involvement with Epstein.”