King Charles Initiates Removal of Andrew’s Last Military Honor

London, England – The Ministry of Defence confirmed on Sunday that plans are underway to strip Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of his honorary military rank as Vice Admiral, as per the wishes of King Charles III. This decision follows a long-standing controversy surrounding Andrew’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Defence Secretary John Healey stated in an interview with the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that King Charles has indicated this move is necessary. ‘This is a move that’s right, it’s a move the King has indicated we should take and we’re working on that at the moment,’ Healey said.

Andrew retained his Vice Admiral rank even after resigning from other military positions in 2022 amid ongoing scrutiny over his associations with Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Valentine Low, a royal author, commented on the situation, stating that this latest action would be a significant blow to Andrew, saying it reflects a ‘flinty-eyed ruthlessness’ from the King towards his brother.

Recently, Andrew lost several royal titles, privileges, and other honorary military roles following mounting pressure regarding his relationship with Epstein. This includes returning his titles, such as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and ceasing to use ‘His Royal Highness’ in any official capacity.

As civil demands grow for Andrew to face questioning regarding his connections to Epstein, US Congressional members from the House Oversight Committee have intensified their calls for him to testify. Congressman Suhas Subramanyam emphasized the importance of Andrew coming forward to clear his name and assist abuse victims.

While some committee members expressed their willingness to formally summon Andrew, enforcing a subpoena from outside the US presents challenges. Raja Krishnamoorthi noted that should Andrew enter the US, he would fall under congressional jurisdiction and would be expected to testify.

In light of public and political pressures, calls for transparency regarding Andrew’s past actions and associations continue, with former Epstein accusers urging him to cooperate with investigations.

Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace confirmed last week that Andrew must vacate his residence at Royal Lodge, moving to private accommodation on the King’s Norfolk estate. This decision aligns with the previously stated intent to distance the monarchy from Andrew’s controversies.

As the King seeks to address the fallout and restore the reputation of the monarchy, further developments regarding Andrew’s military honors and ties to Epstein are anticipated in the upcoming weeks.