Prince Andrew would only lose his titles ‘as a last resort’ (updates)

Prince Andrew interview

Prince Andrew’s Newsnight interview aired in November 2019. It was a catastrophe. For a few days after the interview aired, Buckingham Palace kept its head in the proverbial sand, refusing to change their messaging from “everyone thinks the interview went well.” I still remember that, and how out-of-touch BP looked. Finally, Prince Charles laid down the law: he convinced his mother that Andrew must “step down” and relinquish a public role. Andrew was allowed to make it seem like it was his decision, and he “removed himself from public life” while still retaining his lease on Royal Lodge, his HRH style and his ducal title. He’s also been funded by the Queen, from her Duchy of Lancaster funds, ever since.

What followed the Newsnight interview was predictably awful – Andrew still had the Queen’s ear, and he remained her favorite. She was part of his now years-long effort to rehabilitate his image and “come back” to the royal fold publicly. He went with her to church, they went riding together, he visited her frequently at Windsor Castle, he got her new puppies. At various points in the past two years, Andrew genuinely believed he could come back, even though Prince Charles held the line and said “no way.”

So it’s pretty funny/interesting to see the multitude of stories this week about how NOW Prince Andrew must do what’s best and fall on his sword (or something) and really be thrown out of the royal family. The only person who needs convincing is Queen Elizabeth, and she remains unconvinced. A source close to Andrew told Richard Kay at the Daily Mail: “Within the family he is seen as someone who has behaved idiotically but he is ‘blood’, so they will support him.” Meanwhile, Kay says it plainly: the Queen can’t and won’t make the decisions about Andrew at this point because she can’t be objective, “Andrew was asked by his siblings to be his mother’s most frequent family visitor. It means decisions about his future are likely to be made by Prince Charles rather than the Queen.”

Meanwhile, there are calls to “de-royal” Andrew, but I doubt those calls will get much traction. By “de-royal,” that would mean yanking his HRH style and perhaps putting his ducal title into abeyance. Something few people are really talking about: Andrew is still technically the royal patron of several military branches and charities. Buckingham Palace has thrown around their weight to ensure that Andrew remains the patron too, much to everyone’s dismay. Here are some other quotes from various royal commentators:

Ingrid Seward, Editor in Chief of Majesty magazine, said the Queen would likely only make a decision about Andrew’s titles as “a last resort” adding she would be “very surprised” if anything happened immediately. But the expert noted the duke could be made to “relinquish” his patronages.

“It’s not going to be at the top of [the Queen’s] list of things she wants to do,” Ingrid explained. “It’s unprecedented. She will probably say to Andrew keep your title Duke of York but you’ve got to relinquish your military appointments regardless of where you stand in this case. I don’t think it’s going to be immediate. It may be, but I would be very surprised.”

Royal biographer Phil Dampier told The Sun Online: “This will obviously do nothing to help his reputation, I think he is finished as a working royal. It was suggested he would try and get back this year for the 40th anniversary of the Falklands events but that’s not going to happen for him the way this is going. It wouldn’t surprise me if, in time, he loses his military patronages.”

Speaking to the BBC, media lawyer Mark Stephens said a crisis of this scale was unprecedented for the royal family. “Prince Andrew has nowhere to go. He’s effectively a dead man walking as far as the royal family is concerned. But the one thing he can do is to accept the responsibility, accept the blame, accept that he has to fall on his sword for the sake of the wider royal family.”

[From The Sun]

Again, all of these people are trying to convince the Queen to do something. And she’s not going to. She doesn’t care. She never cared. Andrew is her favorite. It really will be Charles who makes the decision here, and I would imagine that he’s weighing his options. And even if Charles does make some bigger calls, the Queen will still take Andrew to church and she will still pay his bills.

Update: This just dropped.

Update #2: The Queen just yanked all of Andrew’s military affiliations and royal patronages. He’s still HRH the Duke of York though. We’ll have more tomorrow!

Trooping the Colour 2019  Photo: Albert Nieboer / Netherlands OUT / Point De Vue OUT

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, WENN.

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262 Responses to “Prince Andrew would only lose his titles ‘as a last resort’ (updates)”

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  1. Tessa says:

    I wonder why no such articles appear to defend the Sussexes from all the “bots” wanting them to lose their titles.

    • Wiglet Watcher says:

      This whole institution is imploding and I’m here for it.

      • Chicago says:

        Imploding, indeed. And every time I hear people criticizing and shaming adults for living with or off of their parents during these (or any other, really) difficult times, I think of Prince Andrew. And the likes of him. When rich people live off of someone else, they are just rich and well-connected, when regular people do it – they are lazy bums.

      • Lowrider says:

        I hope so.

    • Fortuona says:

      Well as everybody said at he time the would have to thought Westminster to do it . The last people to do it was the German members who fought in WW1 a hundred years ago and then, took a year and a half to do it ,they can cut him from the Garter and the like but his titles are his

    • windyriver says:

      Updated above

    • Me says:

      NYT is reporting that BP yanked the HRH too.

      • Mrs.Krabapple says:

        CNN is still only saying the military titles and charities (which will be re-distributed to other family members). I mean, I believe the HRH should be revoked too (which is entirely at the queen’s discretion/whim) but I doubt she will do that to her son, whom she probably views as the real victim.

      • AppleCart says:

        I don’t think he lost it but it’s understood he can’t use it while the case is ongoing.

      • BayTampaBay says:

        The HRH has not been “yanked” but Andrew will no longer use the style of HRH for any reason. Andrew is now a private citizen.

      • Mac says:

        Like H+M, he can no longer use HRH.

      • ThatsNotOkay says:

        I mean…this is all but saying he is guilty as charged, though, of course, not charged. Hope the HRH actually gets stripped. He deserves no more CROWN protection.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Mac, Harry and Meghan CAN use their HRH, they *choose* not to. That’s a big difference.

      • Eurydice says:

        I guess we’ve reach the Last Resort.

  2. Scorpion says:

    Lmao, he is blood and they will stand by him. Very interesting 😏

    I’m glad that this is happening to Noncydrew because each day, this goes, the BRF’s slip keeps showing. I hope the Sussexes pay attention and make their own moves accordingly.

    • I’m not sure about that. I think William is happy to throw Andrew to the wolves to distract from his racist and problematic behavior and to look like he is taking this seriously. Same to Charles using this to distract the money funneling in his charity that was making front pages. They see the benefit in making a big deal about having “no choice” but to get rid of Andrew.

    • lanne says:

      Harry was blood too, for the good it did him

    • Truthiness says:

      I’ll wager 10 bucks on how soon the Brit Media is going to complain about the Sussexes not being around to pick up the newly orphaned patronages.

  3. equality says:

    I doubt even Charles will dump him too hard. Some patronages have already dumped him and more will probably follow. I bet he knows too much dirt on PC to be completely ditched. That’s why they are working on convincing him to step down himself.

    • BayTampaBay says:

      Andrew needs to relinquish all military appointments & patronages and go into a FULL retirement with no appearance at ANY public royal events. He was born an HRH so no reason to take that away as HRH really means nothing without public support. No reason to strip him of his Dukedom as the dukedom will become extinct with his death as he has no son and his York line will die out.

      IMAO. Andrew just needs to move to some estate with a decent manner house in the middle of NO WHERE and remain there doing absolutely nothing for the rest of his life.

    • Tessa says:

      William probably is wanting the Duke of York title for Louis.

      • BayTampaBay says:

        Who would want a title once held by a pedophile and the negative public memories attached to it? No one wants the Dukedom of Albany or Cumberland due to the memories of previous Nazi holders of the titles.

        At Andrews death or demise, I believe the York title will go back into the vault and remain there for many years gathering dust.

      • EBS says:

        This is why I don’t think Edward is getting Duke of Edinburgh. They’ll need it for George or Louis.

      • Emmitt says:

        I don’t think it will be a problem. By the time Louis is ready to become Duke of York, Andrew and his entire line will have been forgotten.

      • EBS says:

        We’ll see. They’re still avoiding using Duke of Clarence, and the last holder of that died in 1892.

      • Feeshalori says:

        IDK, the DOY title has usually been reserved for the second son of the monarch so they could try to resurrect it for Louis when or if he marries. There’s always William’s Cambridge title for either of his sons as well once he no longer uses it if he becomes king. George however will automatically become Duke of Cornwall if William gets to the throne. So a few dukedoms to kick around in addition to Edinburgh if Edward doesn’t get it.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Agree, BayTampaBay. This title needs to be mothballed for several generations.

    • josephine says:

      People are talking about him stepping down and retiring and losing titles, and I can only think that he should be rotting in jail. At the very least he should lose all title and income, but the fact that the royals seem so dead-set on protecting him should tell the world all it needs to know about these people.

      • BayTampaBay says:

        I could be wrong but I think the only income Andrew has is that which QEII gives him privately.

      • Lizzie Bathory says:

        @BayTampaBay He also has a small Navy pension (which of course isn’t nearly enough to fund his lifestyle).

      • Mrs.Krabapple says:

        @BayTampaBay – The only income that we know about. I’m sure he has shady sources of revenue, and that they ALL do. That’s why I speculate Charles will not allow Andrew’s finances to be investigated even after the queen dies. Not to protect Andrew, but to protect himself and others from setting a precedence that their finances can be investigated.

    • notasugarhere says:

      It is a Catch-22, tiger by the tail situation. If he cuts Andrew off too hard, Andrew goes back to (or continues) his money relationships with oligarchs. See the OTT price paid for Sunninghill Park by a shady billionaire.

  4. Wiglet Watcher says:

    When the Queen passes Andrew will really feel fear. Charles and Andrew never got along.

    • atorontogal says:

      Charles never got along with anyone other than Cameltoe. I have an intense dislike for this man even though I’ve never met him. I am a Diana fan through and through. Charles is a sniveling whining little POS and my hope is that the monarchy crashes and burns before he ever ascends the throne. His whole life will be all for not and I’m here for it!

      • BayTampaBay says:

        You are correct about Camilla but I would say that Charles does get along with Anne very well in their own way.

      • Rebecca says:

        After her divorce, Diana grew to have a good relationship with Charles.

      • Tessa says:

        I think there was some wariness between Charles and Diana towards the end. They were co-parents. But what bothered me is how that Charles: Victim or Villain came out in 1998 (by their friend Penny Junor) which did a number on Diana. If he had been getting along with Diana, he never would have done that. Junor said he cooperated with her on it. I also think Charles trusts Fawcett and despite Fawcett having to resign, I think he still works for Charles.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Yes, Diana and Charles had reconciled as friends prior to the divorce. She had even comes to terms with Camilla as Charles’s potential future spouse.

      • Tessa says:

        I think Diana had high hopes for her future. I don’t think she’d settle down with Dodi Fayed but she had her work and her children. The Queen Mother was the true obstacle for C and C to marry, she did not want them to marry in her lifetime.

      • Elizabeth Phillips says:

        Tessa, there are a lot of people who still think Diana was using Dodi to make Hasnat Khan jealous.

    • Amy Bee says:

      Charles will protect him just as his mother did.

    • windyriver says:

      Delete

  5. L84Tea says:

    I think the RF are FINALLY starting to get it. They’re finally seeing what a catastrophic mistake it was for the queen to back Andrew so publicly. These people are dumber than dirt.

    • Andrew's Nemesis says:

      I’d say that having a rapist paedophile who enabled human trafficking is pretty unprecedented, wouldn’t all of you?
      The BRF’s main line of defence has always been ‘nothing to see here’; nothing to let ‘daylight in on the magic’. And, sadly, they believe that they occupy a miraculous space in people’s imaginations and hearts. They’re so coddled and cosseted, so divorced from reality that they genuinely believe their actions are free from repercussions.
      Not this time, Paedrew. Not this time.

      • Emma says:

        It’s not unprecedented. These people helped invent colonialism; they do not actually care about rape or murder. So much sunshine shining in on the hidden secrets is what’s new.

    • BayTampaBay says:

      I think the problem is that QEII 100% believes Andrew is innocent of what Virginia accused him of.

      • teecee says:

        Or she thinks that because he is a prince and she is a commoner, it doesn’t matter. She believes she was chosen by God to rule, and that her children are, too. Of course she thinks her son has the right to whatever or whomever he wants.

      • Becks1 says:

        I think she thinks he slept with Virginia, but doesn’t think it was really a big deal. After all, he’s a royal prince, of course girls are just throwing themselves at him, and this one decided to make some money off of it, its so heartbreaking for her to see how he is being treated, but these jezebels just can’t help themselves, can they?

        I don’t think the queen has the slightest concept of consent or trafficking etc.

      • Emma says:

        The problem is that Mommy believes white male supremacy is God’s will.

      • Weatherby says:

        The timing is curious though, isn’t it?

        @BayTampaBay:

        My thought is that this decision did *not* run through the Queen. She has stood by him through it all, and has indicated that he has her full confidence (see the Chriatmas pap ride along of… 2019 I believe?).

        Methinks this came down from Charles. This is an indication to me that the Queen’s health is failing, and courtiers are busy behind the scenes transferring authority to the next generation.

    • josephine says:

      They are not dumb, they are incredibly entitled, and I have to say, the way the English press treats them, they are right to think that they can be scum of the earth and still get worshipped for no reason whatsoever.

      • BothSidesNow says:

        Yes, exactly!! They think that all of their misdeeds are perfectly acceptable due to their position, unlike everyone else. The RF will still protect Andrew, and William, no matter how awful they are as humans.

    • PrincessK says:

      No, they are not getting anything. All they are doing is what the Queen has done all her life which is to ensure above everything else that the succession continues and the monarchy survives. As a result the RF will get rid of anyone or any perceived threat by any means possible. The RF are less bothered by Andrews alleged crimes than by the fact that a trial will be a huge embarrassment and destabilising factor on the institution of the monarchy which must not be brought into disrepute at any cost.

  6. Jais says:

    The idea that he must fall on the sword for the good of the monarchy, for the good of the queen, is messed up, like he’s making some noble sacrifice for the greater good. Nah, prince Andrew can fall on a sword, no problem with that, but not as some lauded self-sacrificing gesture.

    • Lizzie says:

      If falling on his sword means offering a settlement the point might be moot as Virginia doesn’t seem to want to settle.

      • Rebecca says:

        Her lawyers are saying she is unlikely to accept “a purely financial settlement.” I think she’ll settle if the money comes with a public apology or acknowledgement of wrongdoing on his part.

  7. Eurydice says:

    A “last resort” for what? That usually means the final effort to get out of a difficult situation. But there’s no getting out of Andrew’s situation and Charles has already kicked him out of the working family. Reassigning Andrew’s patronages is just housecleaning – even the patronages don’t want to be affiliated with him.

  8. ABritGuest says:

    Andrew is blood so the royal family will support him. How nice for Andrew.. meanwhile Richard Palmer told us in 2019 that nobody in the family was supporting Harry because he launched claims against illegal press action.

    I thought Elizabeth was all about duty & the crown first- didn’t they reiterate that when they said she took 2 mins to deny Harry laying a wreath, so why does she need convincing? I also thought she said when it was confirmed that Harry & Meghan wouldn’t return as working royals that their patronage’s & military titles had to go because they aren’t doing public duties. so why hasn’t she stripped Andrew already given he stepped back in 2019 & is unlikely to return to public duties? Surprised the press aren’t demanding it like we saw for Harry & Meghan in 2020 & 2021.

    The double standards & hypocrisy jumps out even though the press are trying to protect Elizabeth. It shows how making decisions out of spite etc isn’t smart.

    • Over it says:

      One sentence. Andrew isn’t Married to a woman of color, this family is the dictionary meaning of racism.

    • Sue Denim says:

      it’s interesting to me that Harry still seems so loving and connected to QEII, prob says more about him than about her, or maybe his understanding there continues to evolve too?

      • Mrs.Krabapple says:

        I suspect (have no proof) that the Queen may be senile or otherwise not the one making the decisions. Harry may still have a warm relationship with the doddering old woman while someone else (Charles?) is making the decisions – such as taking away their right to use the HRH, and the wreath incident — on her behalf behind the scenes.

      • Sue Denim says:

        that makes sense…although I don’t think QEII has ever been as nice as everyone thinks…

      • Jennifer says:

        Yeah, it’s a mystery how Harry seems to portray that he and his grandmother are fine on their own, but publicly she shuns the shit out of him. HMMMMMMMM I WONDER WHAT’S UP WITH THAT.

      • Debbie says:

        Thank you, Sue Denin. It needed to be said.

    • Amy Bee says:

      @ABritguest: Harry’s sin was marrying a black woman and turning his back on his family. To Royal Family that’s worse than being a pedophile.

      • Tessa says:

        And he did not “listen” to his brother who wanted him to stay on and be scapegoated and be the third wheel, accompanying William and Kate places.

      • Mrs.Krabapple says:

        Or at the very least, not marry a woman who out-shines William and Kate. Meghan’s star power is as big a crime, imho, as her biracial and American background. We see the effects now — William and Kate are in Meghan’s shadow, and cannot get attention without dragging Meghan’s name into the story (or paying people to post positive comments about them). That must really burn the Cambridges’ egos.

    • BUBS says:

      Harry, i hope you’re watching: these people don’t love you. The only family you have is the one you’ve created with Meghan and your babies. Be wise!

      • aftershocks says:

        Yeah, I get what you’re saying in general @BUBS. Still, Harry will return to honor his grandmother when she passes. And Harry is not going to suddenly drop Eugenie, nor will he ever blank his Spencer aunts and cousins. Plus, there may be other discreet relatives and friends in England, whom Harry is still relatively close to.

        I don’t think Harry is overly attached to his uncle (Earl Spencer) though, due to the Earl doing Will’s bidding in trying to persuade Harry against courting and marrying Meghan.

    • PrincessK says:

      Andrew has not publicly criticised the RF therefore the Palace was going to support him for as long as possible up until the point when he has now become too embarrassing. Everything revolves around making the institution of the monarchy look good, nothing else matters.

  9. Crooksandnannies says:

    “Behaved idiotically,” they said. Are they serious? Are they considering rape to be idiotic? That he’s just your average guy who had a lapse in judgment and not a vile criminal?

    • Sarah says:

      They 100% are. See ABritGuet’s post about double standards above.

      Abolish the monarchy.

    • Andrew's Nemesis says:

      I think the Menendez brothers had better family values, sad to say.

    • Ainsley7 says:

      The official position seems to be that he’s an idiot for putting himself in this position not that he actually did anything wrong. They are still pushing the idea that this is all just Virginia looking for a money and not her looking for some justice.

    • Mrs.Krabapple says:

      To the royal family, Andrew’s “crime” is having poor taste in friends. Seriously, I think that’s their mentality.

  10. Harla says:

    Are they joking?! They couldn’t yank Harry’s titles and appointments fast enough but now the queen can’t be bothered to yank the titles and appointments of the one person who is actually doing irreparable harm to her beloved monarchy? Can no one see what the queens legacy will be, how badly her actions of the last several years are tarnishing the world wide reputation of the British monarchy?

    • Fortuona says:

      Harry still has his titles ,he lost his appointments when he stopped being a working royal

      • 809Matriarch says:

        @Fortuona: Harry lost his military honorary appointments because he stopped being a working royal. Got it!

        Andrew stopped being a working royal as a consequence of the train wreck interview. He is incapable of even doing the amount of public service Harry & Meghan are doing because NO ONE, NO COMPANY, NO CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONS will EVER work with him anymore. He excused his constant invitations to Epstein and acceptance of Epstein’s hospitality by claiming his REAL friendship was with Ghislaine Maxwell – a friend from college and Epstein was just her “plus one” on social occasions and “straight forward shooting weekends.”

        Welp, that excuse didn’t age well did it? She is now a convicted sex trafficker.

        Service is universal but the best service Randy Andy can do is anonymously and way in the background. His military patronages are clamoring to get rid of him. The double standards and hypocrisy are stupendous.

      • BUBS says:

        In the same vain, Pedo Drew has also stopped being a working royal but they haven’t taken his appointments from him, even though the military don’t want him anymore (unlike Harry whose patronage’s actually wanted him to stay on)…what’s your point?

  11. Seaflower says:

    We keep getting these regular reminders how out of touch the royals are: the Aberfan Mining Disaster, Diana’s funeral, Prince Nonce…. where are their PR crisis managers when they need them?

    • Andrew's Nemesis says:

      I hated that episode of the Crown in which it all became about whether the Queen could cry or not, rather than the devastation caused to that tiny village in a Wales that had been overlooked and neglected for decades.

  12. Lauren Too says:

    Discovery will be so much fun. I would be shocked if they let Pedo keep his honors, ranks, and use of the HRH while on trial. It doesn’t matter if he cooperates or not, it’s just a matter of whether the RF will allow themselves to be dragged down with Andy.

  13. Cee says:

    The Sussexes were treated far worse for doing absolutely nothing wrong.

  14. Mslove says:

    Within the family he is seen as someone who has behaved idiotically but he is ‘blood’

    The family thinks Andrew is stupid, not a rapist. As in “Andrew did nothing wrong, just behaved idiotically.”

  15. Over it says:

    He behaved idiotically, but he is blood. Translation, his blood is white. Not tainted by a woman of color and her children.These people make me sick.

  16. Sakura says:

    I love how Andrew is “blood” but I guess Harry isn’t? Or Harry was, until he fell in love with a biracial American actress. Ohh, the horror! The stench of hypocrisy within that inbred family is nauseating.

  17. LW says:

    Unprecedented?
    Well, there is a first time for everything.

  18. Amy Bee says:

    “Within the family he is seen as someone who has behaved idiotically but he is ‘blood’, so they will support him.”

    Charles, William, etc. will never turn their back on Andrew because he’s family and in their eyes he has done nothing wrong and remains loyal to the family. Pedophilia is not taboo in their circles and Virginia is a nobody American who they see as a prostitute.

  19. WhoElse says:

    A degenerate family ruling a degenerating nation. Har de hardy har har.

  20. Julia K says:

    She will go the distance to protect Andrew. He is the ” spare” , just as her sister Margaret. I feel she is trying to posthumously protect her sister in death as she neglected to do in life, by transferring her allegiance now from Margaret to Andrew, trying to make things right, and relieve her of the guilt of knowing she made decisions that caused Margaret much pain. She will never remove titles or status from Andrew. Armchair philosopher here.

    • Julia K says:

      In light of all the updates I admit I was wrong about this in my above post. Wow. Never saw this coming.

  21. Serena says:

    Love the brit veterans letter, now they HAVE TO take action. I’m just loving how the RF keeps digging their hole deeper and deeper with each scandal.

    • Christine says:

      I’m with you, that letter from the veterans is powerful, and I have all the respect in the world for the fact they asked he be dishonorably discharged. Seriously, it’s the least they should do.

    • PrincessK says:

      But why did they not write to the Queen demanding that Harry’s military titles be reinstated.

    • samipup says:

      Off the subject a bit…. notice QE2’s mailing address on that
      letter. The Queen. I just thought that was kind of funny. My mailing address from now on will be Samipup, Maine, USA.

  22. Lizzie says:

    The military gave HRH, Prince Harry a standing ovation at his farewell. Just saying.

  23. Zut Alors says:

    I’m sure if the horses could speak, they would rather not have the nonce ride them.

  24. Lili says:

    History is not going to be kind to Betty, even as the longest reigning Monarch, I reckon it will be written to portray her as a victim her taking on responsibility of a kingdom at such a young age, her eratic behaviour banishing her grandson and trying to hang on to a son that has commited heinous crimes. She should have learned the lesson of the spare by now, starting with what she did to her sister and her grandson,

    • Dbfkel says:

      Why is Andrew the ‘spare’? Isn’t Anne the second born? Are females only considered for the throne if the monarch has no male heirs?
      Anne is way more deserving of being the ‘Spare’ than Andrew.

      • Jan90067 says:

        Until Liz changed the Letters of Patent for George’s birth (when they didn’t know if he’d be a boy or girl), a MALE offspring took precedence over a female child. You could have six daughters, and if #7 was a boy, HE got the throne over his older sisters. If NO MALE children were born, ONLY THEN would a female inherit the throne (that is how Liz came on).

        (This is also how Diana’s brother inherited ALL of Althorp and the title Earl over Diana and her 2 older sisters).

      • Emmitt says:

        Because before George was born, males took precedence. Anne was only the spare until Andrew was born. Andrew and Edward are ahead of her, just like James is ahead of Louise. If the rule had not been changed, if Charlotte was born first, George would still be the heir and she would be behind Louis in the line of succession.

      • Jennifer says:

        Men may be spares, but what does that make women? Trash, unless there’s nobody with a penis about? (she snarks, bitterly)

  25. aquarius64 says:

    Harry got his military appointments taken away for NOT being involved in criminal activity. In the long run the Sussexes will come out unscathed in this mess because they stepped away.

    • BayTampaBay says:

      Stepping away then leaving the building was the best decision the Sussexes ever made.

      • Babz says:

        It was, and now all they have to do is carry on building their new life, and let Karma get on with things. They are most likely thanking God every day that they are free of that cesspool.

      • PrincessK says:

        Oh yes. It really is a dirty sinking ship.

        My guess is that the RF will bend over backwards to try and get on good terms with the Sussexes because the are a real ray of much needed positive light in this messed up family.

      • swaz says:

        IT WAS

  26. India says:

    The aristocrats and royals are into pedophilia. They are twisted and perverted themselves so there you have it.

  27. LRobb says:

    Anyone in the RF who is leaking that they support Andrew because he is blood needs to bend the knee to Prince Harry and his family without delay. What a disgrace.

  28. Merricat says:

    What a mess there is in the House of Windsor. Won’t go away until the queen does. I do think Charles might exile him then.

  29. BUBS says:

    Open your eyes, Harry, and see what’s happening. See how they cast you out all for marrying a melanated woman and daring to protect her, versus how they coddle Andrew who has commit an egregious offense. Please, please open your eyes. You have no family in Britain…your entire family is in the USA. Be wise!

    • aftershocks says:

      ^^ Once again @BUBS, Harry is not going to cut off family members and friends in the U.K. who he cares about. The ones who have caused hurt and who are still trying to surreptitiously attack him and his wife, are another story entirely. In any case, we can’t presume to decide familial-related decisions for Harry.

      Yet, for all intents and purposes, the way the Sussexes have rolled so far since their escape from the gilded cage, indicates to me that their forever home is in California, USA. Plus their platform, and their status and influence will continue to have impact and relevance on the world stage.

  30. RoyalBlue says:

    notice the difference in language. Prince Andrew may lose his titles or give them up, but they cried for the Sussexes to be STRIPPED of their HRH and patronages. The language is telling.

    I am pleased as punch with how this is all playing out and this is entirely of their own creation. the government and the people did not create this mess. the RF fucked around and are finding out.

    UPDATE: he has been STRIPPED.

    • BayTampaBay says:

      “but they cried for the Sussexes to be STRIPPED of their HRH and patronages.”

      Give the Daily Fail 4 hours to throw a story together then get it posted online and you will see cries in the 6k comments for Andrew to be stripped of HRH. These types of comments appeared in the comment section of an Andrew article the Daily Fail ran yesterday.

  31. EMF999 says:

    Buck House has just announced military appointments and patronages have been returned to the Queen. He will no longer use HRH in any capacity.

    • Deanne from Canada says:

      *Chris Pratt Parks & Rec shocked Gif*

      Charles is trying to distance himself before Andy burns the place down. The Royal Gilded (you can’t touch me I’m a Prince I get immunity) Protection is gone!

      BUH Bye

    • Carty says:

      Makes one wonder if there is photos or more evidence going to drop about him and they’re trying to get ahead if it.

  32. JenBanana says:

    🤯👍🏼

  33. Becks1 says:

    Ha! Finally, he lost them all.

    The comments are full of “how hard for the Queen” but you know, she could have stepped in with him decades ago. This is where their toxic family dynamic comes into play IMO. He’s an adult, with most other adults I don’t look to the mother and say “wow, you really are to blame for this.” But given what we’ve seen just over the past two years, with her support of him etc, its hard to say she has no blame here. He’s entitled, and he’s been protected his whole life, and shielded from consequences……and that’s on her.

    I imagine this situation is quite a shock to him, lol.

    • Tessa says:

      She avoids and ostriches and hopes problems will go away. Too bad she did not take any initiative and allowed Harry and Meghan to leave. Now she is forced to act but let this Andrew situation go on for years. I hope Fergie knows enough not to comment.

    • aftershocks says:

      Guys, you need to read up on the history of the British monarchy. Lots of incredible, unpalatable shizz has happened down through the ages. As another poster said upthread, it’s just that in this technology-based, social-media driven age, the deep, dark secrets can’t be hidden any longer.

      In the 20th century alone, so many scandals are associated with the royals, beginning with the Duke of Clarence’s faux pas, and his unwitting connection to the Jack the Ripper murders; extending through the dictator-leanings of Edward VIII, and his traitorous and murder-related machinations* during his tenure as the Duke of Windsor (*read A Conspiracy of Crowns, by Alfred deMarigny; also Hidden Agenda: How the Duke of Windsor Betrayed the Allies, by Martin Allen; and Princes at War: The Bitter Battle Inside Britain’s Royal Family in the Darkest Days of WWII, by Deborah Cadbury).

      Not to mention, of course, Margaret’s misbegotten love affair which was blown apart by courtiers and government officials, leading to her fatal rebound reactions which ultimately destroyed her life; plus the infamous Charles and Diana saga: “There were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded.” Not to forget Prince Philip’s more discreet liaisons, and his connection to the Profumo affair in the 1960s.

      Let’s not even get into cousin/uncle Lord Mountbatten (the known pedophile who got away with it, until he didn’t — the possibility of his perfidious and criminal behavior being uncovered threatened the monarchy in a different time). There’s much more, of course, including George Duke of Kent’s drug habits and loose morals in the 1920s and 1930s. Sadly, there’s also the tragic death of Prince William of Gloucester soon after he was forced to give up the love of his life in order to bow down to and sacrificially serve the crown (despite there being no chance he’d ever inherit the throne himself).

    • aftershocks says:

      Also, King Edward VII’s openly adulterous behavior in the early 1900s.

  34. Nic919 says:

    Well they didn’t have much of a choice to yank the military appointments seeing as they did it to Harry for far less . The worst part will be the false equivalency the media will be trying to make between the two, especially as Andrew is linked to sex trafficking.

    Also looks like he won’t use the HRH but it won’t be yanked.

    • notasugarhere says:

      That’s how I read it. He maintains the HRH but won’t use it. The York title was a wedding gift, so that also will not be removed.

  35. Jess says:

    Yay! This is a small step but I’ll take every bit – and Virginia is such a warrior for refusing to back down.

    • Truthiness says:

      Her lawyer, David Boies, gets to rehabilitate his image the more he fights for her. He has had a storied career but he was working for Harvey Weinstein, that was a pretty big black eye. Good for him to work this case and make sure it gets every advantage possible. Had a less capable lawyer been employed we might not be seeing these results.

      • Lowrider says:

        David Biois is trying to attach Meghan to Andrew, not Harry, just Meghan because apparently she may have heard something about Andrew while she was a working royal. This supposed information could assist his clients case.

      • aftershocks says:

        ^^ Please elaborate with links to sources. Is this simply the same story we heard about weeks ago, or has something else transpired? I don’t see how Meghan would know anything more about Andrew than his nephew, Prince Harry, would know.

  36. mcan says:

    OMG – these updates are EVERYTHING. Finally some action by the Queen to address the situation. Too little and too late but some glimmer of hope that she and her advisors are recognizing the absolutely terrible situation he has put all of them in with his entitled and vile, not to mention illegal behaviour. I hope Virginia pursues this to the very end and that others who were also violated would agree to join in now. She is a strong woman and deserves so much credit for pursuing this issue as far as she has already.
    We can only hope for more announcements from the palace before this is done.
    Also the statement “…is defending this case as a private citizen” highlights the story that is being pushed that he will not have the Queen’s riches behind him for a financial settlement. I think we all know that isn’t the case and this is a further attempt for him to cry poor in the face of a looming financial payout.

    • BayTampaBay says:

      According to “The Telegraph” Andrew will no longer use his “style” of HRH.

    • Yinyang says:

      ” “…is defending this case as a private citizen” highlights the story that is being pushed that he will not have the Queen’s riches behind him for a financial settlement. I think we all know that isn’t the case and this is a further attempt for him to cry poor in the face of a looming financial payout” interesting. They are this sneaky.

  37. J ferber says:

    She needs to yank his dukedom and HRH title. Harry agreed not to use his HRH title. Do that to Andrew too. And I believe Harry is no longer Duke of Sussex? Do the same to Andy. Remember, they did that shit to the best member of the royal family for doing admirable things to protect his family. Andy is a rapist who is being coddled by that awful family. Values? Integrity? Hell, no. Predators and vipers. Well done,England.

    • Sofia says:

      According the sources, he’s not going to be using his HRH but they should have put that in the official statement.

    • BayTampaBay says:

      @J ferber – Harry is still the Duke of Sussex. Harry is still an HRH, he just agreed not to use the style of HRH as he no longer is a working royal.

    • RoyalBlue says:

      take away his security and any funding from Lancaster. Go find and job and pay back for any upgrades to Royal Lodge.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Andrew paid for the updates to Royal Lodge in exchange for the 100 year (or whatever) lease. A lease Beatrice and Eugenie inherit upon his death. If Charles and William try to get him out of there, it will be a huge fight or require a massive private payout from the private funds Charles will inherit from mummy.

      • RoyalBlue says:

        nota we need to understand who paid for the capital upgrades. what was the source of the income/assets that Andrew used to pay for these upgrades exactly. Not his Naval pension, that’s for sure. If you are telling me it’s Duchy funding, then I think he needs to pay the Duchy back. If it’s Epstein money, then that means Crown property has Epstein’s blood all over it. If you are telling me Andrew had money of his own, fair enough, from whom did he collect this. This I want to know.

      • BayTampaBay says:

        I believe Andrew spent 7.2 million BPS on the initial structural renovation of Royal Lodge.

      • RoyalBlue says:

        Bay where did he get the £7.2 million from.

      • BayTampaBay says:

        “Pitch at the Palace” scam, some Saudi dude person, Jeffery Epstein…. The possibilities are endless.

      • notasugarhere says:

        As BayTampaBay writes, could be anywhere but it wasn’t the Duchy of Lancaster, Duchy of Cornwall, or the Civil List (now Sovereign Grant). My thought has always been QEII paid with her private wealth for both Royal Lodge and Bagshot updates. A way of giving Andrew and Edward their private inheritances early and without paying tax on them. The same way she used private funds to purchase Anne’s estate and the mistake that was Sunninghill Park.

      • RoyalBlue says:

        i agree with you nota that the possibility that it was the Queen’s private funds. I don’t agree with bay that they would let laundered/shady cash be used on Crown property.

  38. Seaflower says:

    Yes!

  39. Merricat says:

    It’s a start.

  40. Terry says:

    pls put the updates at top of article

  41. Deanne from Canada says:

    Are they going to trot out DoC Kate plucked from her secret SOLO (sans Bill) Vacay to flip her hair, click her heels and say: Children’s Mental Health 3 times?

    • Green Desert says:

      Hahaha Deanne this is my comment of the week!! 🙂 🙂

      • Christine says:

        Agreed!

      • Deanne from Canada says:

        @Green Desert & @Christine: Thank you. They’re will be a move to do a PR image save. Be ready for a distraction… 4… 3…. 2…. 1…. There will be one. A new charity highlighting sexual abuse survivors? This would signal that the RH (read Charles!) views Andy as GUILTY. Too triggering. Plus they would be guilty for the blatant cover up. Or someone will be thrown under the bus. A leak of a few photos from Covid friendly Mustique trip? Rose bushes? I’d click on that story. Can’t wait to see…

  42. Sofia says:

    Taking them away at all is good. Don’t get me wrong. But it’s been done very very late when they should have been taken away when he stepped down.

  43. Ela says:

    Well done to the veterans who wrote that letter. It’s unlikely anything would have been done, otherwise. The palace with the complicity of the British media would have continued to whitewash this. I read the letter as an extraordinary rebuke of the queen. The lines about if it had been any other officer and something could have been done in the last 11 years… Really sounded like a reprimand.

  44. swirlmamad says:

    Awww dayum, it’s starting….the dam has broken and they don’t even have any real dirt on H&M to try to stanch the tide. This will be interesting to see how far they go as far as Andrew getting what he richly deserves.

  45. jferber says:

    Hearing rumors that Andrew’s true father is Lord Porchester, I looked him up. Andrew DOES look remarkably like him. I’m looking specifically of pictures of him with Queen Elizabeth as she wears a yellow dress and hat and a picture of him holding a hunting rifle when he was 29 years old. Andrew looks nothing like Philip in any respect. Why not Porchie? There’s even a picture of him standing next to Elizabeth as she holds her new baby. I’d love to hear some thoughts on this. I also think her last child, Edward, doesn’t look like the royal family.

    • Ann says:

      Goodness, they do look alike, esp the shape of face. It would also help explain why Andrew is her favorite. If Phillip was screwing around for years, and Liz fell for a man who was nice to her and respected her and shared her love of horses . . . well, yeah.

    • Imara219 says:

      I don’t know about Edward rumors but lately, I feel that William looks less like Diana and more like Edward. Harry looks like a ginger version of his granddaddy, so we know how he’s going to age 😬. I think

      • Jan90067 says:

        There’s a pic of a young, bearded Phil in his naval whites… Harry is IDENTICAL.

        William was smacked repeatedly, upside the head, with the Windsor Ugly Stick, beginning in his late 20s. It’s done its job.

    • Erin says:

      Oh yeah, he doesn’t look like his siblings at all and the resemblance to Porchie is pretty strong. I think Charles, Anne, and Edward all look similar and Charles and Edward have the queens face while Anne has prince Phillips face but Andrew doesn’t have anything from prince Phillip but has that Windsor mouth from the Queen. Genetics are weird and all of my kids look different but I would believe it.

      • RoyalBlue says:

        Listen, if the Queen’s will is sealed we will know for sure.

        And to Andrew, son of dear Porchie, I leave £20mn.

    • CapeTownGirl says:

      Princess Beatrice is the spit of Porchie, I think. Especially around the eyes.

      • notasugarhere says:

        She’s the spit of Queen Victoria.

      • BayTampaBay says:

        If either of the York girls resemble the Carnarvon (Herbert) family, it is Eugenie. However, I do not see much Herbert in Eugenie.

      • notasugarhere says:

        To me, Eugenie is a young Queen Mum.

      • Gubbinal says:

        I think that Princess Eugenie (the only member of the English branch of my Sussex family I like) looks a lot like Porchie. The shape and contours of her face are not on her mother’s side at all.

      • PrincessK says:

        Beatrice is the image of Queen Victoria and the family knows it.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Go look at pictures of Eugenie ages 4-6 and similar ones of her great granny, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. And more recent ones as well. Very similar.

  46. RoyalBlue says:

    They did it to save the Jubilee year. Can’t have it muddied by some royal pedo news popping up every day.

  47. Anon says:

    To me this is the Queen admitting he is guilty…..keep on rocking it Virginia Roberts Giuffre!

    PW and the Duchess need to step up now more than ever to “save” the BRF if that is even a remote possibility at this point. Where are the crisis managers? Where are PW & DOC? And King Charles for that matter. We seem to ask this every day so……

    The stress on the Queen has to be intense right now…..

    • Alexandria says:

      I don’t think she thinks he is guilty. This was done to save the monarchy. He may be her favourite child but the monarchy comes before him. And to think all of these crap were self-inflicted because they shouldn’t have done the same to Harry. The comparisons were becoming too obvious and indefensible. The crown always comes first and the firm will do what it takes to ensure it survives. I also doubt she is stressed. I think the men in grey are and maybe Chuck. On the other hand this takes the spotlight away from his own scandal.

      • Anon says:

        I should amend my statement. I agree this was done to save the monarchy and the Queen had no choice. I am positive she is stressed only because she was absolutely forced to do this to as you said to save the crown.

        Again we ask – where are Charles, PW & DOC? The future of the BRF and the monarchy right?

    • Lowrider says:

      Yeah, poor Betty Windsor. Let’s all pause a moment for her. 🤮

  48. RoyalBlue says:

    Two counselors of state down….are Eugenie and Bea the next counselors to replace Harry and Andrew?

    • notasugarhere says:

      Both Harry and Andrew are still listed as Counsellors of State.

      If either was removed, then Beatrice and Eugenie would be moved up *unless* Andrew and his line were removed from the line of succession.

      • RoyalBlue says:

        I see. I thought because Harry is out of the country it no longer applies.

      • notasugarhere says:

        From what I understand, it shouldn’t. But nothing has been changed at least on the official website. I cannot see Charles wanting his reign to be filled with William, Beatrice, Eugenie, and Edward as his counsellors. He’d want Harry there, (wrongly) thinking Harry would be a pro-Charles force.

    • Gubbinal says:

      As of 13 January 22:30 GMT the Royal Official Web page says:

      “Current Counsellors of State
      Counsellors of State are appointed from among the four adults next in succession (provided they have reached the age of 21).

      The current Counsellors of State are The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge, The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of York.”

      So the web site has not been updated or they will do with two people. Or promote Princess Anne (if she wants it and I am sure she has strong opinions). Or maintain Sussex and add the Princess Royal).

      Maybe Charles and Bulls are ready for a final showdown. I am betting that Camilla is more efficient than the Keenest one in the race to be Queen.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Anne cannot be promoted over Beatrice, Eugenie, Edward and soon enough Louise and James. Anne comes after all of them in the succession.

  49. aquarius64 says:

    The queen had no choice because the press, especially the US press, will drive home the hypocrisy about Harry. I want Parliament to pull the titles from Andy to send the message: the BRF will not damage the of the British people writ large.

  50. Layla says:

    About time
    Now for the public to demand we stop foooting the peadoohile’s security bill

  51. Edna says:

    About damn time. The media spin should be interesting. Waiting to see how PWT played a strong decisive role in this. Charles was lost without PWT leading the charge.

  52. L says:

    This is a BFD and someone else said it – and I agree – this is going to put the nail in the coffin for the BRF.

  53. Gubbinal says:

    Does anyone know if Royal Lodge is subsidized by the English taxpayers? Will Charles pay for his paedbro to live there?

    • notasugarhere says:

      Andrew paid for the restoration years ago in exchange for the century-long lease. Both that lease and Edward’s lease at Bagshot have been reviewed and assessment was it was fair/legal. If Charles or William tries to remove him from Royal Lodge, I expect a public fight. Or as I wrote above, a huge money payout from the private funds Charles will inherit when QEII passes.

      • Jaded says:

        I think that’s exactly what Charles will do as regent — pay Andrew out with the money he inherits from mummy and banish him somewhere remote…”fuck off money” if you will.

  54. MerlinsMom1018 says:

    The Daily Fail has made the story #1 IN BIG BOLD LETTERS
    Off to read the article and comments

    • Becks1 says:

      Ooooh, “the Queen casts Andrew out!”

      I dont think that’s what she’s doing personally, but for the Firm she is.

    • Eurydice says:

      I love the part about how he’ll still be HRH in private so he won’t have to bow to little Prince George.

      • Jaded says:

        I can see Fergie treating him the same way Edward VIII treated Wallis Simpson — he demanded that everyone in their household and friends circle refer to her as Her Royal Highness.

  55. Becks1 says:

    I would not be surprised if this sets a precedent for new letters patent re: HRH. It kills two birds with one stone – takes the HRH away from Harry AND Andrew (bc one is seen as worse in the eyes of the Firm) and settles the issue re: Archie and Lili. Like something saying that only the direct heirs are HRH, or only the oldest child of the oldest child of the prince of wales (rather than all the children of the oldest son of the POW).

    Basically take this moment to swipe the board clean and have the only HRHs be Charles (and therefore Camilla), William (so Kate), and George.

    I don’t know if the Queen would do that to her cousins, but how much does the Duke of Kent care about that at this point in his life?

    ETA I really don’t think this is going to happen, but it might.

    • BayTampaBay says:

      I believe, if QEII does this, she will put a date on it so not to make it retroactive for the Dukes of Wessex, Kent & Gloucester, Prince Michael, Princess Alexandra, Princess Anne and the York girls.

    • Lowrider says:

      I can see it happening because they are blinded by their hate for Meghan.

    • stagaroni says:

      Who knows? She might want to tread carefully at the moment; her popularity is clearly at a low point. The Veterans handed it to her in their letter. This is the Queen, however, so she might just make them all suffer if Andrew has to suffer.

      • PrincessK says:

        The royals need to tread very carefully, especially with dealings to do with the family branch in California. The world is watching. The double standards continue to staggeringly astound.

    • notasugarhere says:

      I don’t see it happening either. She’s not going to remove HRH from her beloved Andrew and his daughters. I could see Charles doing this, once the elders have passed (Duke of Kent, Gloucester, etc.)

      • BayTampaBay says:

        I do not see Charles III, touching the Kent or Gloucester families.

      • Tigerlily says:

        Nota and Bay. The dukedoms of Kent and Gloucester will devolve from ‘Royal’ dukedoms to ordinary when the current Dukes pass away. Their heirs will be styled as You Grace as they are not HRH.

  56. Just saw that he has returned his medals

  57. Alexandria says:

    Now haul up those employees and their emails. Jason Knauf has shown the way!

  58. stagaroni says:

    Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. That SOB.

    All of his debauchery has finally caught up with him, and his mother will have to acknowledge that she protected a rapist for YEARS. That rumbling you hear is the foundation of the monarchy crumbling even further.

    • bettyrose says:

      Yep. This may be the worst of what happens to him, but let’s not discount how much this potentially hurts mommy’s little boy who’s never in his life known consequences. It’s not prison, but sometimes I think the most one can hope for with men like this (including tfg) is that they’ll know in their last moments this is how history will remember them.

    • notasugarhere says:

      As written above, that is something that will never cross her mind. She’ll never think he’s guilty of anything.

  59. Athena says:

    Losing the use of the HRH is going to sting, his whole identity is tied to that HRH. The global humiliation of today’s decision…I don’t think he should be left alone, I honestly think he might harm himself. The royal family should think twice about cutting him off financial. Andrew befriended all sort of unsavory characters who will not be put off by this is and the case in NY. A broke Andrew scheming to earn a living will do a lot more damage to the monarchy.

    • Lowrider says:

      And?

      They should financially cut him off.

      If he damages the monarchy, then, oh well.

    • Miss Jupitero says:

      If he damages the monarchy and causes himself further humiliation and trouble with his reckless behavior, it is all on him. Time for him to put on his big boy pants and take responsibility for his actions.

      If taking responsibility is truly incompatible with the monarchy, then it is time to end the monarchy.

    • notasugarhere says:

      Athena, that’s the way I’m leaning. All they have to do is look at Fergie and her behavior since their separation and divorce. An Andrew out scamming for funds on the global stage, a la exiled former king Juan Carlos of Spain, will do even more damage to the BRF.

      • bettyrose says:

        There’s a time I would’ve died to see Andrew doing a Weight Watchers ad, but now I don’t want to hear or see from him ever again.

    • Juniper says:

      This is a man who was big into the “Do you know who I am” type of entitlement. I have heard stories that he was a nightmare in the Falklands. This is glorious.

    • PrincessK says:

      But Andrew has been scheming and doing dodgy deals for decades, his friendship with Epstein was founded on that. Unfortunately the Palace failed to stop him.

  60. BeanieBean says:

    You will notice the tweet from BP left out the HRH when referring to the Duke of York. He’s toast. Throw him into the compost.

  61. Athena says:

    When she yanked Harry’s HRH she wasn’t thinking ahead. His security needs to go next. No longer a working royal, no need for a security detail.

    • notasugarhere says:

      She didn’t yank Harry’s HRH. They remain Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They *choose* not to use those in their professional lives.

      • Athena says:

        They try to soften the blow by saying the Sussexes choose not to use the HRH but the truth is they were told not to. They could have made the agreement and not broadcast it but they did, which left them with no choice when it came to Andrew.

    • Jaded says:

      They simply do not use the “HRH” title, he hasn’t been stripped of it — that would take a lengthy act of Parliament.

  62. Tykarri says:

    “and is defending this case as a private citizen”
    -they are covering their own asses, the only reason this is happening now is because they finally realize he is in deep doo-doo.
    -by distancing themselves and stripping his titles are they shielding themselves from financial penalty should he lose in court?
    -as a private citizen, he has no money. but if he is still considered part of the monarchy, are they on the hook for his settlement if the judge ruled in Virginia’s favour?
    -is this being done at the advise of the lawyers to protect the royal family from a court loss. but is being spun as they are “doing the right thing” by distancing themselves?
    -private citizen is a BIG red flag.
    Go Virginia!

  63. Miranda says:

    We should start a petition to do a bit of retcon and say that the state of Virginia was named for Ms. Giuffre. She’ll deserve it for finishing what America started in 1776. Maybe commission a statue of Virginia and Meghan high-fiving, too.

  64. TeamMeg says:

    He’s been stripped of everything. Just heard. (3:30 PM Eastern time….) WOW. Liz caved. She must be gutted. And so so so so angry.

  65. JustBitchy says:

    Omg I just read the full letter from the military folks. It’s BRUTAL “Officers of the British armed forces must adhere to the very highest standards of probity, honesty and honourable conduct”. “When other offices are reportedly describing him as ‘toxic’…”. “we understand that he is your son, but we write to you in your capacity as head of state and as CiC … These steps could have been taken at any time in the past eleven years.” LET THAT LAST LINE SINK IN

    • Lizzie says:

      Again, the same military who gave Harry a standing ovation at his farewell event.

      • Christine says:

        WORD. I feel like it’s possible this stupid family will never acknowledge that fact, which means the rest of us need to beat the drums.

        The queen should be ashamed, she tossed away the ONE actual military hero in her family, and stayed silent about a child rapist.

    • Feeshalori says:

      Even the queen with her ostrich attitude couldn’t ignore that letter, it pulled no punches and really ripped into her. And they asked for his dishonorable discharge as well. What an embarrassment on a global scale. And yet, I’ll bet Charles still had to talk her into doing this to save the monarchy if she was even consulted at all at this point. Her blind spot about Andrew has become total loss of vision.

    • TeamMeg says:

      Wow – I had no idea – thanks for sharing this important piece of the story @JustBitchy.

    • Deering24 says:

      Whoa. When the military openly questions you to this degree, that is a very bad sign for any ruler.

  66. RoyalBlue says:

    Definitely a stain on elizabeth regina’s reign as she sat back for decades and allowed this to happen.

  67. Lululu says:

    Harry and Meghan’s decision to leave sooner than later is looking wiser and more timely every day. It’ll be good for them to have as much ground as possible between them and the RF when QEII passes and the monarchy implodes.

    • L4Frimaire says:

      I’m so glad they’re away from this mess. We saw how disgusting they weee when they denied Harry having a wreath laid, then bragged about it. Even last week they were using Duchess “Never puts a foot wrong” to attack and belittle Meghan. They thought attacking and expelling the Sussexes made the rest of them golden but instead, they now have to be accountable. This is the bare minimum because the military called them out and embarrassed them internationally. Otherwise Andrew would still have all the titles and he’s probably still protected, just not officially now.

      • Randie says:

        It is sick he will remain a Prince and a Duke, and hold on to his ninth place in the line of succession to the throne. Wow, it is understood he will keep his security detail paid for by the taxpayer (more than what Harry and his family received).

        And he is to hold on to a select few military titles such as Vice Admiral of the Royal Navy, having earned them throughout his military career. This is just not right.

  68. Mimi says:

    Yuck

  69. notasugarhere says:

    Two days ago it was announced that a no-fly rule had been announced for Windsor Castle.

    ‘Thames Valley Police force said that effective from January 27, no aircraft can enter airspace up to 760 metres above the castle, within a radius of 2.3 kilometres without special permission.’

    I’m surprised it wasn’t in effect before, but wonder if it was courtiers thinking ahead. Wanting to limit the opportunities for aerial pap pics of Andrew visiting Windsor Castle from RL.

  70. Lizzie says:

    Could someone please give Virginia an idea to submit for the next Earthshot?

  71. topherben says:

    To put this in perspective. Harry was given the same “punishment” for essentially moving to the US, as Andrew has for essentially having to go to trial for raping a minor and cavorting with convicted sex offenders……Oh and Harry’s titles were revoked almost immediately whereas Andrew didn’t lose his until (a) the last of his futile attempts to get the case dismissed before trial failed (though he was still known as a friend to 2 convicted sex offenders ) and (b) over 150 military veterans wrote to the Queen specifically asking her to remove them (a request that the military at no point made about Harry).

    Good to know the RF is able to keep things in perspective.

  72. Gubbinal says:

    A total aside and I apologize if this is a non sequitur: but is it possible that Ghislaine Maxwell has been singing? And demanding immediacy? We may not find out what it was, but it could have been a tidbit from her….

    • SomeChick says:

      while Ghislaine might be making some sort of deal, she is no longer in a position to demand anything from anyone.

  73. jferber says:

    NotaSugarHere and Jaded, I read that Harry “agreed” not to use the HRH. That’s why it was a big deal when he used it either in their Christmas card or on Lilibet’s birth certificate (I don’t remember which). On another note, I wouldn’t be surprised when Charles becomes king that he would specifically write out Archie and Lilibet from being prince and princess. That would be some vitriol, but a man who pulls his high-profile son’s security without a word is just the man to do that (especially with William whispering in his ear). If Charles does that, I just hope that no royal ever again steps on U.S. soil (especially William and Kate).

    • Tessa says:

      I think Charles is going to have large problems with William and Kate working against him. It won’t be pretty IMO.

    • notasugarhere says:

      Harry and Meghan continue to have both HRH and the Sussex titles. They choose not to use them publicly in their business endeavours.

    • PrincessK says:

      Charles has to be very careful. He has international public opinion to consider on one hand and on the other he is afraid of William.

      • Becks1 says:

        Especially now that the Sussexes have put it out there that yanking Archie’s HRH in the future would be related to his skin color.

  74. Carmen says:

    So now that he’s been stripped of all his titles, is he still Prince Andrew or is he just plain old Randy Andy?

    • anotherlily says:

      He has been stripped of all honorary military roles and all royal patronages. He was born a Prince and remains a Prince but his HRH style will no longer be used. He remains Duke of York. The dukedom was a gift on his marriage and the title is his property. He remains in the line of succession and is still a Counsellor of State but he will have no public role representing the Queen or the UK.

      The letter from the military veterans has achieved this.

      By contrast Prince Harry retains the respect of military veterans. He remains in contact with veterans’ organisations and continues to work with military charities. I wonder if he was an influence behind the letter.

      • PrincessK says:

        These same veterans should write a letter to insist that Harry’s military titles be reinstated.

  75. Jay says:

    Ooh, I missed this story! Glad someone at the palace saw sense, even if it’s years too late.

    I also have immense faith that Andrew will try to spin this as “giving up” his titles for the sake of his elderly mother, and shame on the bad bad media for ruining her jubilee year by reporting about that unpleasant court case. The case which, because he just loves the Queen sooooo much he is choosing not to fight. What a martyr!

  76. PrincessK says:

    Something that has been glaringly obvious throughout the day that this news broke is the fact that the British media have assiduously avoided bringing up any references to the way Harry’s titles were removed. It really is the elephant in the room. I am suspecting that the RF is entering into another deal with the media not to do anything more that is likely to rock the boat and make the Platinum year get any worse than it already is. I believe that a lot of manoeuvres are going on behind the scenes. Will anyone break ranks?

    • SomeChick says:

      the Guardian already has, in more than one article. the comparison is clear in this case. most of the other papers seem to be royallists, and the Guardian is much more measured in their reporting. they are also great for US news. I check them daily.

  77. CrystalBall says:

    All current decisions made by the royal family are designed to keep Charles’ coffers filled by the average Joe and to ensure the Cambridge five are bankrolled for the next five generations. All their decisions are about the bottom line and nothing else.

  78. Linney says:

    I wonder what Fergie will say when she does the talk show runs and blabs about how he is the best man she knows? Or perhaps we’ll get lucky and the lawyers will put a muzzle on her.

  79. Bread and Circuses says:

    So one prince raped underage sex-trafficked girls, and the other prince married a black woman and protected her from the rabid press attention that killed his mother, but they got exactly the same punishment from their family for those actions.

    I realize it’s all the royal family can do. They just shouldn’t have done it to Harry.

  80. ChattyCath says:

    The money in the Duchy of Lancaster is money from bankrupt assets and estates with no heirs. Don’t forget that money makes money via interest which compounds. Incidentally I’m descended from the first Duke Of Lancaster, John of Gaunt and have spent my life pretty impoverished because of health issues. According to their principles of inheritance some of it should be mine! I’m joking of course but you see my point. Why not use that money for something charitable (allegedly the Queen does But is Andrew a worthy charity?