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The former Duke of York loses his naval title as the monarch attempts to draw a line under the ongoing scandal regarding his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Stripping of Honors In Progress

The former prince is losing his military title of naval commander, which he was granted in 2015 and had retained even after surrendering other military positions in 2022.

The defense minister confirmed on Sunday that ministers were working with the king to remove his naval honours.

"Typically, the administration follows the rulings and determinations the king has made. Regarding military matters, it's precisely identical," Healey stated.

Additional Consequences

Asked whether the former duke could lose his military medals as well, the minister answered that they were "medals for his service" and continued: "I don't have an update on that, but just as with his naval title, we would be guided by the judgments the king makes."

Historical Circumstances

The former royal has been under renewed scrutiny over his ties to Epstein following the release of posthumous memoirs by Virginia Giuffre, who states she was compelled into sexual encounters with Mountbatten Windsor on three occasions, including when she was 17 years old.

Recently disclosed emails demonstrate that the former prince wrote to Epstein in 2010 after the latter was released from jail on allegations involving soliciting prostitution.

In the correspondence released on Friday, the convicted sex offender suggested that Mountbatten Windsor meet former JP Morgan executive Jes Staley, who was prohibited from the UK banking sector for life in June for misleading the watchdog about his connections to Epstein.

Naval Career

The former duke served in the navy for more than two decades, including as a aircraft commander during the Falklands war. After Giuffre filed three years ago, he stopped using most of his armed forces honors but retained the rank of vice-admiral.

His military retirement pay is his sole existing means of official earnings after serving between 1979 and 2001, reportedly totaling twenty thousand pounds annually.

Recent Developments

Buckingham Palace officially declared last week he would lose the titles of royal titles, as well as being required to vacate his home in Windsor and relocate to private accommodation in Sandringham.

Royal staff had worked with government employees in the government department to prevent the decision having to be taken by parliament, eventually agreeing that the king should abolish the dukedom entirely using his powers of royal prerogative.

Although the removal of honors takes effect right away, the ex-royal is not expected to leave Royal Lodge until following the holidays, meaning he will not be in attendance when the family convenes at Sandringham for the festive season.