In a decisive move to further distance the monarchy from scandal, King Charles III has formally removed Prince Andrew's last remaining royal titles and honours. This official action solidifies the Duke of York's fall from grace, stripping him of prestigious knighthoods linked to the Crown.
The Final Stripping of Royal Honours
The King directed the cancellation and annulment of Andrew's membership in two of the UK's most esteemed orders. The first is his appointment as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, originally dated 23 April 2006. The second is his rank as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, awarded on 19 February 2011.
These orders were formally announced as cancelled in the official London Gazette at midday, following an agreement made on October 30. The official notices state that his name "shall be erased from the Register" of both orders. This follows the prior removal of his coat of arms from St George's Chapel in Windsor.
Eviction from Royal Lodge Faces Delay
This final culling of titles comes just weeks after Andrew was stripped of his Duke of York and Prince titles and agreed to vacate his home, the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor. However, reports indicate his eviction is likely to be delayed until February.
The reason for the delay is that the disgraced royal is reportedly struggling to downsize from the large property. This means he will remain in the royal residence for several more months despite losing the formal trappings of his former royal status.
One Last Title Remains in Question
Following the King's latest action, Prince Andrew clings to just one honorary title: Vice-Admiral in the Royal Navy. He served for 22 years until 2001, including during the Falklands War as a helicopter pilot, and was awarded the honorary rank in February 2015 for his 55th birthday.
However, even this final honour is under threat. The UK government has pledged to "work to remove" his vice-admiral title at King Charles's request. Secretary John Healey confirmed the process, noting that the power to remove this honorary military title rests with the government, not the monarch.
This series of actions marks the near-complete severance of Prince Andrew's formal ties to the working monarchy, relegating him to a private citizen status with a cloud of scandal and legal settlement hanging over his past.
