The Queen exiles Prince Andrew from royal life over sex abuse scandal

The Duke of York has been stripped of all military titles and patronages by the Queen and has agreed no longer to use his HRH title, in an attempt to protect the Royal family from the fallout of his sexual abuse case.

The announcement was made after Prince Andrew, 61, was summoned to Windsor Castle for a 45-minute meeting with his mother, amid increasing speculation that he will have to pay off his accuser, Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

However, the Duke insisted he would continue to defend the civil case, related to his friendship with the billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, as a “private citizen” – declaring it a “marathon not a sprint”. …

Regardless of whether there is a trial or a settlement, the legal process is likely to be extremely embarrassing for the Royal family. It is thought this development is an attempt to shield the Royal family, and leaves no way back to a public role for the Queen’s second son, with all official ties severed, leaving him in a form of internal exile. …

A royal source said all of the Duke’s roles had been handed back to the Queen with immediate effect for redistribution to other members of the Royal family. They will not be returned to the Duke.

Prince Andrew will no longer use the style “His Royal Highness” in any official capacity.