Andrew Mountbatten Windsor may soon lose his honorary rank of vice admiral, according to Defence Secretary John Healey. The review follows years of public controversy and growing scrutiny over his remaining military position.
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, who turned 55 in 2015, received the vice admiral rank as a birthday honour. He retained the title even after stepping back from other military duties in 2022. Now, government and royal officials are working through a process that could remove this final honour.
John Healey confirmed the review during an interview on Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips. “We’ve seen Andrew surrender his former military positions,” he said. “We’re now looking at his honorary vice admiral title, and that process is underway.”
When asked about the next steps, Healey explained that the government is following the King’s direction. “We’re being guided by the King,” he said. “We’re now looking to remove the remaining title.”
The King recently stripped his brother of his Duke of York title and royal styling. The decision came after renewed attention on Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Following the move, he is now referred to simply by his family surname.
He will soon leave the Royal Lodge and relocate to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The monarch will privately fund his future accommodation, marking another shift away from public support.
Earlier this month, reports confirmed that Andrew had agreed to stop using royal titles in public. However, he would continue to hold the title of Duke of York until further notice.
The change comes ahead of the upcoming memoirs of Virginia Giuffre, whose legal case against Epstein drew global attention. Giuffre, who died earlier this year, had accused Andrew of sexual misconduct — claims he has repeatedly denied.
Her family praised the King’s latest decision, calling it a victory for accountability. “An ordinary American girl brought down a British prince through her truth and courage,” a family statement said.
The ongoing review of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s status marks another chapter in the royal family’s efforts to restore integrity and distance itself from scandal.
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