Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been stripped of his chivalric honours but retains his Vice-Admiral rank in the Royal Navy
Britain’s disgraced former prince Andrew (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has officially become a commoner following the removal of his remaining Royal titles.
King Charles has instructed that Andrew’s membership of the historic Order of the Garter be revoked. The former prince will also lose his Knight of the Grand Cross honour and see his Royal Victorian Order cancelled.
The monarch’s decision follows Andrew being stripped of his Duke of York title and told to vacate the Royal Lodge after details emerged about his association with the late billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any misconduct throughout the period of his friendship with Epstein.
Andrew is expected to depart the Royal Lodge next year, with suggestions it could occur as early as February. The disgraced Royal had previously consented to relinquish his Order of the Garter membership.
The Sun reported the directives were published in the London Gazette at noon following their agreement and announcement on 30 October. It stated: “THE KING has directed that the appointment of Andrew Albert Christian Edward MOUNTBATTEN-WINDSOR to be a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, dated 23 April 2006, shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order.”, reports the Mirror.
“THE KING has directed that the appointment of Andrew Albert Christian Edward MOUNTBATTEN-WINDSOR to be a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, dated 19 February 2011, shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order.”
Andrew’s coat of arms has been taken down from St George’s Chapel in Windsor, leaving him with just one remaining title.
He retains his Vice-Admiral rank in the Royal Navy, despite government pledges to remove the honour. Labour Secretary of State John Healey confirmed the government would “work to remove” his final title.
Andrew completed 22 years of naval service until 2001, serving as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War.
The honorary rank was bestowed upon him in 2015 to mark his 55th birthday. Former first sea lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Lord West commented: “It seems extraordinary that it is taking so long.
“I cannot see why it is so difficult to remove it. He has paid a penalty for his stupid behaviour and that is right.
“We recently swiftly removed the first sea lord from his position and he had the rank of admiral, so it cannot be that difficult. They should just get on with it.”