Queen Elizabeth strips Prince Andrew of his titles amid sex abuse court case

By Sujeewa Nivunhella in London

Triggering off a media frenzy on growing furor over allegations Prince Andrew sexually abused a teenage girl supplied to him by financier Jeffrey Epstein, Queen Elizabeth II stripped the prince of all his honorary military titles and royal roles in charities and other civic groups.

The Buckingham Palace announcement of the Queen stripping her son Prince Andrew of all his military titles and royal patronages as he prepares to face a civil case over claims of sexual assault, saying he must defend himself as a private citizen was made on Thursday.

“With The Queen’s approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to The Queen,” the statement from Buckingham Palace said.

It added the third of her four children will continue not to undertake any public duties.

Andrew will also no longer use the style His Royal Highness, or HRH, in any official capacity, a person familiar with the matter said.

Local newspapers reported that more than 150 British navy and army veterans had written to the queen asking her to strip her second son of all his military ranks and titles after a U.S. judge said Wednesday a sex assault lawsuit against the prince could go ahead.

In a joint letter issued by the group Republic, they said they were “upset and angry” that Andrew “brought the services he is associated with into disrepute.”

Foreign media covering the developments defined the term ‘Patronages’ included roles in charities, military and civic groups that the royals support.

Prince Andrew’s other British honorary military titles were: Honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth; colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment; colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps; commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm; royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers; deputy colonel-in-chief of the Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths’ Own) and royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The queen is head of the armed forces and honorary military appointments are given by her.