Pressure Mounts on Defence Chiefs Over Andrew's Final Title
Defence chiefs are facing growing demands to expedite the removal of the Duke of York's last remaining honorary title. Despite a direct request from King Charles to strip his younger brother of the vice admiral of the Royal Navy title, the disgraced prince continues to hold the position.
A Career and its Unravelling
Prince Andrew, whose full name is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, served for 22 years in the Royal Navy and saw active duty as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War. In February 2015, to mark his 55th birthday, he was awarded the honorary rank of vice-admiral, a move reportedly approved by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
He was due to be promoted to the honorary rank of admiral for his 60th birthday in 2020. However, this planned upgrade was cancelled in the wake of his widely criticised BBC Newsnight interview, where he discussed his association with the convicted paedophile financier, Jeffrey Epstein.
The Fall from Grace and Ongoing Process
The controversy deepened with the publication of a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre and the release of documents from Epstein's estate by US authorities. It was revealed that Andrew had emailed Epstein in 2011 with the message 'we're in this together', sent three months after he claimed to have severed all contact with the sex offender. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
In October, as a consequence of what the palace termed 'serious lapses' of judgment, the King removed Andrew's HRH style, his prince title, and his dukedom from the Roll of the Peerage. The removal of his naval title, however, remains in bureaucratic limbo.
Defence Secretary John Healy has stated that the government would remove Andrew's vice-admiral title. Yet, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed the process is still 'ongoing'. A spokesperson stated: 'Defence continues to act in line with His Majesty's intent regarding the process to remove the style, titles and honours of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.'
Calls for Action from Within the Navy
The delay has prompted criticism from senior naval figures. Admiral Lord West, the former First Sea Lord and chief of the naval staff, has publicly questioned why it is 'taking so long'.
'I cannot see why it is that difficult to remove it. He has paid a penalty for his stupid behaviour and that is right,' he told the Sunday Times. 'What I would not approve of is if he kept the title, that would not be appropriate with his behaviour. 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.'
The continued hold-up leaves a shadow over the Royal Navy and the government, as calls grow for a swift and decisive conclusion to the matter.
