King Charles is trying to send a key message following his dramatic decision to strip his disgraced brother, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, of his titles and honours, a royal commentator has claimed. The disgraced former Duke of York plunged into further humiliation last week after Buckingham Palace announced the King’s decision, which effectively brought an end to his public life.
Andrew, whose friendship with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein led to his downfall, will effectively now have the status of a commoner and will be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. He tainted the reputation of the Royal Family with his association with Epstein and, for many years, was dogged by allegations that he sexually abused Virginia Giuffre after she was trafficked by the financier. He has strenuously denied the allegations.
Now, a royal commentator applauded the King’s decision and said it was a clear message of the monarchy that he’s trying to build for the future.
Lee Cohen, a US-based columnist/royal and foreign policy commentator, told GB News: “The King and the Prince of Wales are showing that, rightly, the welfare and the future of the Institution that they lead is their chief motivation.
“I am a monarchist, so I applaud any effort to ensure the continuity of the Institution, which is one of the backbones of Western civilisation.”
Andrew’s latest blow came on Sunday, when Defence Secretary John Healey said the King had requested that Andrew’s final military title be removed.
Mr Healey claimed that the King had “indicated that’s what he wishes” and that the Government is working to remove Andrew’s rank as Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy.
The rank is his last remaining honorary military title, as he handed back the others in 2022 due to the Epstein scandal.
The Defence Secretary would not comment on whether Andrew would be able to keep his medals, including the campaign medal he received for his service in the Falklands War, but said the Ministry of Defence would be “guided by the decisions the King makes”.
Ministry of Defence sources stated that they were examining whether Andrew would revert to the rank of commander, which he held during his active military service, or if he would lose his naval rank entirely.
Andrew’s title as Duke of York has already been removed from the Roll of Peerages.
The former prince denies sexually assaulting the late Virginia Giuffre, She alleged this happened on three occasions, including when she was 17, after being trafficked by Epstein.
