Become A Helicopter Pilot In The Falklands War And 22 Years Of Army Service, Here Are Prince Andrew's Military Titles That Were Stripped

Prince Andrew (blue sash). (Wikimedia Commons/Richard Harvey)

JAKARTA - The British Royal Family decided to strip Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward of his royal and military titles, briefly known as Prince Andrew Duke of York, on Thursday, following a sexual harassment lawsuit he faces in the United States.

Yesterday's decision by the Royal family had the effect of losing all of Prince Andrew's royal connections. In addition, he will lose the nickname 'Your Majesty' which previously always preceded the official mention of his name.

"With the Queen's consent, the Duke of York's military affiliation and royal patronage have been returned to the Queen," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

"The Duke of York will continue to refrain from performing his public duties and defending this case as a citizen," the statement continued, another effect the prince had to endure.

A royal source said the decision on Andrew came after extensive discussions among the Royal family, with his military affiliation and patronage to be redistributed among the rest of the family.

Prince Andrew. (Wikimedia Commons/Hanson K Joseph)

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense said there was no comment on the Duke's military titles being returned to the Queen, suggesting it was a Palace matter.

Serving in the military for 22 years, Prince Andrew has long experience. During the 1982 Falklands War, he served as a helicopter pilot.

Most members of the royal family have military titles, as does Prince Andrew. The royal announcement cost him several prestigious military titles, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, one of the most senior infantry regiments in the British army.

Other titles stripped of him include: Honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth, Colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment, Colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps, Colonel-in-chief of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeth's Own), Colonel-in-chief of the Yorkshire Regiment, Colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps, Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, Royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers and Royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The Duke will also lose several honorary roles overseas including Colonel-in-chief of The Royal Highland Fusiliers Of Canada, Colonel-in-chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistics Regiment, Colonel-in-chief of the Princess Louise Fusiliers of Canada and Colonel-in-chief of the Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment).

Prince Andrew. (Wikimedia Commons/Thorne1983)

However, the Palace has confirmed that he will retain his Vice Admiral rank. He was appointed Vice Admiral by the Navy on his 55th birthday in 2015.

Originally, he was to be promoted to Admiral on his 60th birthday in 2020. However, this was postponed because he had stepped down from public duties in 2019. At the time, the Palace said other military appointments had been suspended.

Moreover, it seems that he will retain his constitutional role as 'Counselor of State', one of the four nobles who can perform the Queen's official duties if she is unwell.

To note, several charities and other organizations have severed their ties with the duke, but he continues to hold dozens of royal patronage, including being a patron or member of prestigious golf clubs, schools and cultural trustees.