Andrew just suffered his worst humiliation yet – and this one is a hammerblow to his ego

As the one-time Duke of York loses another title, Chris Riches suggests this latest public humiliation is like dragging his ego naked through the streets.

During the Falklands War, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was noted to have oozed courage – but in his dealings with Jeffery Epstein he was steeped in cowardice. So in losing his last remaining military title this week, the one-time prince and favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth has seen his star plummet from the sky into the dust.

And being stripped of the honour also wipes clean the last slate to his biographical credit, leaving just the shame of his links to the dead US sex trafficking paedophile. The 65 year-old is now no longer allowed to call himself a Vice-Admiral after he was demoted to Commander following a meeting of the Defence Council.

Defence Secretary John Healey had previously promised the move after saying it was a move King Charles “has indicated we should take”.

The Vice-Admiral rank was Andrew’s last remaining title – although he will be permitted to keep the medals he earned serving as a Navy helicopter pilot during the 1982 Falklands War.

A Government spokesman said: “Following formal consideration, Defence Council have agreed the immediate reversion from the rank of Vice-Admiral to the rank of Commander (Retired) Royal Navy, the rank held on retirement from Regular Royal Naval Service by Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

“This decision aligns with such processes as to remove other styles and titles.”

DeeperDive

How do royal title removals reflect accountability?

What rank was Andrew demoted to in the Royal Navy?

How do royal title removals reflect accountability?

What recent revelations emerged from Epstein’s case?

 

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‘Randy Andy’ is already no longer a prince, Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh or Colonel of the Grenadier Guards – and shorn of the Order of the Garter and the Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order.

He’s also lost several overseas honorary roles, including colonel-in-chief of The Royal Highland Fusiliers Of Canada, and colonel-in-chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment.

The clock began ticking on his titles being shorn after the late Virginia Guiffre filed a civil case over allegations of sexual abuse. Andrew settled the case but has always strenuously denied wrongdoing.

In 2019, Andrew told BBC Newsnight he broke off his friendship with Epstein in December 2010, after the two men were photographed together strolling in New York.

But new emails claim he wrote to Epstein after the photo was published, saying: “It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it. Otherwise keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!”

Now after one last Christmas at Royal Lodge, at Windsor, he and Sarah Ferguson will also be booted from there too – with Andrew set to head to a new property on King Charles’ own Sandringham Estate.

The far pokier Marsh Farm, located seven miles west of his brother King Charles’ lavish country retreat, is reportedly being eyed up for him.

At the funeral of the Queen, Andrew was unable to wear his uniform as a non-working royal (Image: Getty)

Do we feel a Christmas pudding crumb of sympathy for his unprecedented royal ignominy?

Royal commentators, former protection officers, diplomats, and schoolmates have in the past described Andrew as “arrogant,” “rude,” and having an excessive sense of “entitlement”.

It is clear at military services when wearing his Royal Navy uniform he’s exuded an air of privilege never truly merited.

It’s like a woke celebrity handed an honorary degree for a bit of PR, then spending the rest of the year swanning round town in his doctorate gown as though they genuinely earned it.

Andrew spent decades gallivanting the planet donning the mask of a royal prince – but it was an ill-fitting uniform he never deserved.