King Charles III has formally removed Prince Andrew's two remaining royal honours, as reports emerge that the disgraced royal's planned move to a smaller home has been pushed back until early next year.
Final Titles Officially Removed
A formal notice published in the London Gazette at midday on December 1 confirmed the cancellation of Andrew's appointments. The King directed that Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor's membership as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, granted in April 2006, be "cancelled and annulled".
Simultaneously, his appointment as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, dated February 2011, was also revoked. His name is to be erased from the registers of both historic orders.
Delay in Downsizing from Royal Lodge
The announcement follows the prince's previous agreement with the King to relinquish his Duke of York title and vacate the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, where he has lived for over twenty years. He and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, were expected to move to the more modest Frogmore Cottage on the Sandringham Estate.
However, it is now alleged that this move has been 'delayed' and is unlikely to happen until February. Sources suggest the prince is finding the process of downsizing challenging, contributing to the hold-up.
The Last Remaining Title Under Scrutiny
With these latest removals, Prince Andrew retains only the honorary rank of vice-admiral in the Royal Navy. This title has also been under intense scrutiny. Defence Secretary John Healey has previously stated that the Government would "work to remove" this final honorary military title, a decision that rests with ministers and the King.
Admiral Lord West, the former First Sea Lord, expressed frustration at the pace of this process, telling The Sun: "It seems extraordinary that it is taking so long... 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 stripping of the titles marks a continued effort by the monarchy to distance the institution from Andrew following the settlement of his civil sexual assault case in the United States. His coat of arms had already been removed from St George’s Chapel in Windsor prior to this latest action.
