London, UK — November 4, 2025 | Defence Secretary John Healey told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that “the King has indicated that’s what he wishes”, describing the move as “right and necessary.”
The British government confirmed it is “working to remove” Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s final honorary military title at the request of King Charles III, signalling the monarch’s intent to complete his brother’s formal withdrawal from royal and military life.
Andrew — formerly known as
the Duke of York — retained his Vice Admiral rank in the Royal Navy after
relinquishing his other honorary military titles in 2022, when allegations of
sexual misconduct linked to his association with the late financier Jeffrey
Epstein led to his public downfall.
The latest step, insiders
say, marks the monarch’s determination to draw a definitive line between the
Crown and the controversies surrounding his younger brother.
A Career in Uniform
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor
served 22 years in the Royal Navy, earning recognition as a helicopter pilot
during the Falklands War and later commanding the HMS Cottesmore.
He has long taken pride in
his military affiliations — among them, Colonel of the Grenadier Guards and
Colonel-in-Chief of several Commonwealth regiments — all of which he lost in
2022 when he stepped down from public duties.
Royal commentator Valentine
Low told the BBC that the King’s latest decision would be “a blow” to Andrew:
“Royals, and particularly Andrew, are very proud and determined to hang onto military titles. It seems the King is intent on taking absolutely everything away from his brother — it’s a flinty-eyed ruthlessness he’s displaying.”
From Prince to Private
Citizen
Andrew’s public disgrace
began in 2019 amid growing scrutiny over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, a
convicted sex offender. In 2021, he faced a civil lawsuit from Virginia
Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse when she was a minor — allegations
Andrew has consistently denied.
The case was settled out of
court in 2022, with no admission of guilt. Since then, he has lost his HRH
style, royal patronages, and the trust of much of the British public.
Observers note that this
final symbolic act — stripping his last honorary military rank — would leave
Andrew without any formal connection to Britain’s armed forces or royal
institutions for the first time in his adult life.
The King’s Delicate
Balancing Act
The King’s move underscores
a broader effort to modernize and protect the monarchy’s integrity at a time of
shifting public expectations. Analysts view it as both a message of
accountability and an attempt to preserve the institution’s credibility.
“King Charles understands that the monarchy’s survival depends on transparency and moral distance from scandal,” explains Dr. Fiona Edwards, a historian of the modern British monarchy at University College London.
“By acting decisively on his brother’s titles, he reinforces that principle.”
The decision, however,
could reignite internal family tensions and public debate about forgiveness,
accountability, and the line between private misconduct and public service.
Timeline: Key Events
- 1982 Andrew serves in the Falklands War as a Royal Navy pilot.
- 2019 Steps back from royal duties after Epstein interview backlash.
- 2022 Loses military titles and HRH status following lawsuit settlement.
- 2025 King Charles requests removal of his final honorary naval rank.
What It Means for the
Monarchy
The removal of Andrew’s
final military title marks an end to an era — both for him personally and for
the image of the modern monarchy.
By distancing the royal
institution from lingering controversies, King Charles signals a zero-tolerance
approach to reputational risk, in line with his efforts to slim down and
professionalize the royal household.
By María Pérez |
Editor-in-Chief
Published: 04/11/2025 — Last updated: 04/11/2025, 20:30 GMT