Trigger warning: This article includes mentions of sexual abuse against minors which may be triggering to some readers.
The Queen has responded to the latest developments in Prince Andrew’s sex scandal by stripping the royal of his military affiliations and royal patronages.
These responsibilities are expected to be redistributed among the other members of the royal family in the coming days.
Furthermore, the Duke of York will stop using the His Royal Highness (HRH) style in an official capacity, according to a royal source via BBC.
This news comes just hours after a judge in the US rejected Andrew’s bid to have a sexual abuse lawsuit against him thrown out.
Buckingham Palace announced the decision in a statement that read: “With the Queen’s approval and agreement, the Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.”
It’s thought that the decision about Andrew’s military titles may have been prompted by a letter released on Thursday in the UK calling the Queen to strip him of the titles.
Released by anti-monarchy group Republic, the letter bore the signatures of more than 150 Royal Navy, RAF and Army veterans.
“The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen,” the statement continued.
With the sexual abuse suit set to go to trial later this year, Andrew is expected to face court in the US – now as a private citizen.
There have been calls from some members of the public to strip Prince Andrew of all his royal titles.
(Getty)He will be defending himself against Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s accusations that he had sex with her multiple times while she was being sex trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Ms Giuffre alleges that she was just 17 when the royal sexually assaulted her and that he was aware of her age, claims Andrew has repeatedly denied.
The royal previously addressed the allegations against him in a 2019 BBC interview, before Ms Giuffre filed the lawsuit.
In the Newsnight appearance, Andrew claimed that he had “no recollection” of ever meeting Ms Giuffre and distanced himself from former friend and convicted paedophile Epstein.
WATCH: Prince Andrew denies allegations made by Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Post continues after video…
Rather than turning down the heat on the scandal, his comments during the interview only incited further backlash against himself and the royal family.
Public outrage led to Andrew stepping down from official royal duties and he has avoided public duties ever since, though the allegations against him have been ongoing.
Now, with Ms Giuffre’s suit set to face trial, the royal family appear to be further distancing themselves from Andrew and the scandal with this latest move.
Any talk of Andrew returning to public life and duties now seems unlikely.
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
