Queen Elizabeth II’s second son Prince Andrew has relinquished his honorary military and charitable roles
London:
Queen Elizabeth II’s second son, Prince Andrew, was stripped of his place in royal life on Thursday, in a dramatic move as he faces a US civil case for sexual assault.
British media quoted an unnamed royal source as saying he would no longer use the title “His Royal Highness” (HRH), which designates senior members of the royal family, in any capacity. .
The move comes after Buckingham Palace announced that he was relinquishing his honorary rank and philanthropic roles as the case in the US broke out.
“The Duke of York will continue to not perform any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen,” a statement read.
A New York judge on Wednesday rejected an attempt by Andrew’s attorneys to dismiss Virginia Giuffre’s case.
Giuffre, 38, accused Andrew – often referred to as the Queen’s “favorite son” – of sexually assaulting her in 2001 when she was 17, alleging she was delivered to him by Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew, who staunchly denies the allegations, was forced to give up his public life after a disastrous 2019 interview in which he claimed to have no memory of meeting Giuffre and defended his friendship. with convicted pedophile Epstein, who was hanged in prison in 2019.
Public outrage at the time saw some charities and associations shunned him and he has rarely appeared in public since.
An AFP photographer said on Thursday he was evicted from his home near Windsor Castle, west London.
– Angry veteran –
More than 150 veterans of the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army have written to the Queen, calling on her to strip Andrew of his rank and title in the armed forces.
The 95-year-old head of state is the commander-in-chief of the army, navy and air force.
They wrote in a joint letter published by the anti-monarchy group Republic: “Wouldn’t any other high-ranking military officer believe he would remain in office.”
“Officers of the British Armed Forces must adhere to the highest standards of rigor, honesty and honor.
“These are standards that Prince Andrew falls short of,” they said, adding that he had “made it difficult to understand the services he was involved with”.
Senior members of the British royal family are often appointed honorary heads of military units, with the Queen’s approval.
Andrew is an honorary colonel of the Grenadier Guard, whose soldiers guard Buckingham Palace in their distinctive bearskin hats and red tunics.
Royal patronages are associations with charities and other organisations.
– ‘The scared rabbit ran’ –
For a monarchy beset by crises, 2022 is to mark the 70th anniversary of Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne, with parades, contests and holidays.
But Andrew’s legal troubles threaten more pain for the aging monarch, after her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan shocked the world by moving to the United States, from which they criticized royal life. country, including accusing it of being racist.
Andrew will likely have to respond to Giuffre’s allegations from England in a recorded sentence, unless he successfully appeals or reaches a settlement.
One of Giuffre’s lawyers, David Boies, told the BBC on Wednesday that his client was not ruling out a deal, but a financial one would not be enough.
“It is very important to Virginia Giuffre that this matter be resolved in a way that vindicates her and vindicates other victims,” he said.
Royal historian Anna Whitelock said there were “no good options” for Andrew. A financing deal would also raise questions about where the money came from, she told AFP.
According to the British media, he recently settled a debt dispute & #163; 6.6 million ($9 million, 7.9 million), this debt will allow him to sell a Swiss chalet he bought in 2014 for £ 18 million reported. .
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said Andrew had recently “got the impression of a scared rabbit running away behind his mother’s tartan dress … trying to avoid court papers being served on behalf of the BBC.” he”.
In 2002, the Queen’s Golden Year saw the death of her sister, Princess Margaret, then their mother, also known as Queen Elizabeth.
She told Sky News: “And now this is another holiday in which something very horrible will follow for the next few months,” she told Sky News.
“But it is shameful for a 95-year-old woman to have to challenge her 61-year-old son over his allegations of sexual misconduct.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from the feed provided.)
