Former prince, now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, still holds a prestigious title despite Labour pledging to remove the honour four weeks ago at the request of the King. Senior military chiefs are understood to be annoyed at the vexing delay to remove Andrew's vice-admiral title, which he still holds for the Royal Navy.

The former Duke of York served 22 years in the Senior Service and saw action in the Falklands War as a naval helicopter pilot. He was given the honorary rank of vice-admiral by the Royal Navy on his 55th birthday in 2015, in a move approved by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Andrew, now 65, was due to be bumped up to a full honorary admiral for his 60th birthday in 2020, but his promotion was delayed in the wake of his withdrawal from public duties in 2019 following a d

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