Andrew still has one last prestigious title as officials order 'get on with it'
The former prince has been stripped of the majority of his titles, but one is said to still remain.
Former prince, now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, still holds a prestigious title despite Labour pledging to remove the honour four weeks ago at the request of the King. Senior military chiefs are understood to be annoyed at the vexing delay to remove Andrew's vice-admiral title, which he still holds for the Royal Navy.
The former Duke of York served 22 years in the Senior Service and saw action in the Falklands War as a naval helicopter pilot. He was given the honorary rank of vice-admiral by the Royal Navy on his 55th birthday in 2015, in a move approved by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Andrew, now 65, was due to be bumped up to a full honorary admiral for his 60th birthday in 2020, but his promotion was delayed in the wake of his withdrawal from public duties in 2019 following a devastating Newsnight interview he gave over his friendship with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Read more: Meghan Markle's brutal reaction to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Read more: BBC legend says Andrew has been punished enough - ‘do you want him executed’
Last month, the King officially stripped his disgraced brother of his HRH style and his prince title, and removed his dukedom from the Roll of the Peerage over Andrew's "serious lapses" of judgment.
The move followed the publication of posthumous memoirs by Andrew's accuser, Virginia Giuffre, and the US Government's release of documents from Epstein's estate. It emerged Andrew had emailed Epstein in 2011 saying "we're in this together", three months after he claimed he had broken all contact with the paedophile.
The former Duke of York has for many years faced allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage Ms Giuffre after she was trafficked by Epstein. Andrew strenuously denies the accusations.
A statement issued on October 30 by Buckingham Palace said: “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
However, despite Defence Secretary John Healey stating that the Government would "work to remove" Andrew's titles, the MoD told The Times last night (Saturday) that the matter was still "ongoing".
An MoD statement added: “Defence continues to act in line with His Majesty’s intent regarding the process to remove the style, titles and honours of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.”
Admiral Lord West, the former first sea lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, told The Times: “It seems extraordinary that it is taking so long, and I cannot see why it is so difficult to remove it. He has paid a penalty for his stupid behaviour and that is right.
“We recently swiftly removed the first sea lord from his position and he had the rank of admiral, so it cannot be that difficult. They should just get on with it.”
Last week, a poll suggested three-quarters of Britons believed Andrew should have to give evidence to the US Congress about his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. American legislators criticised the King's brother for "hiding" from them after the former prince ignored a request to sit for a transcribed interview.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer suggested earlier this month that "if you have relevant information you should be prepared to share it" after Andrew missed the November 20 response deadline given by members of the House Oversight Committee.
The YouGov findings revealed 75% of people questioned said Andrew should have to testify, while 9% said he should not, and 16% did not know.
In the 25-49 age group, some 78% believed he should give evidence, compared with 69% of over-65s. Of the 4,516 adults questioned, people over 65 were more likely to say Andrew should not testify, at 16%, compared with 5% of 25 to 49- year-olds.
