Former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, is set to lose his last military title as part of King Charles III's efforts to distance the royal family from his controversial past. UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed on Sunday that the government is moving to strip Andrew of his honorary vice-admiral position in the Royal Navy. This decision follows the King's recent actions to remove Andrew from public life, including revoking his title of prince and evicting him from his residence.

Healey stated that the King has indicated his desire to remove Andrew's final military title. "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," he said. Andrew was awarded the honorary vice-admiral title in 2015, but he relinquished other military positions in 2022 amid growing scrutiny over his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

The former prince has faced significant backlash due to allegations of sexual misconduct, particularly from Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was trafficked to him by Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied these allegations. In a recent memoir published posthumously, Giuffre detailed her accusations against him, stating that she was forced to have sex with him on three occasions when she was 17.

The King's decision to strip Andrew of his titles is seen as a necessary step to protect the royal family's reputation. Healey noted that the Ministry of Defence would also consider the King's guidance regarding whether Andrew should retain his military medals, which include honors from his service in the Falklands War.

Andrew's military career spanned over two decades, during which he served as a helicopter pilot and participated in the 1982 Falklands War. Despite his past service, the royal family's recent actions reflect a significant shift in how they are handling Andrew's legacy.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace emphasized that these measures are deemed necessary, expressing sympathy for the victims of abuse. A friend of the King remarked that the royal family's actions represent a judgment on Andrew's conduct and the need to prioritize the voices of victims.

As Andrew Mountbatten Windsor prepares to lose his final military title, the royal family continues to navigate the fallout from his association with Epstein and the broader implications for the monarchy.