Prince Andrew returns all royal patronages to the Queen amid sex abuse court saga

Prince Andrew has returned his military affiliations and royal patronages to Queen Elizabeth, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday (London time), a day after his lawyers failed to persuade a US judge to dismiss a civil sex abuse lawsuit against him.

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

“The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”

More than 150 veterans had earlier signed an open letter calling for the Queen to strip her son of his military titles over his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A day after Andrew’s lawyers failed to persuade a US judge to dismiss Virginia Giuffre’s civil lawsuit against him which accuses the royal of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager, the anti-monarchy group Republic released the letter from veterans angry that he still held honorary military roles.

Their letter to the 95-year-old monarch called for her to take immediate action because Andrew had been “uncooperative and less than truthful” about his relationship with Epstein, and had brought the armed services he represented into disrepute.

“We are particularly upset and angry that Prince Andrew remains a member of the armed forces and continues to hold military titles, positions and ranks, including that of Vice Admiral of the Royal Navy,” the letter said.

“We are therefore asking that you take immediate steps to strip Prince Andrew of all his military ranks and titles and, if necessary, that he be dishonourably discharged.”