Queen Elizabeth II’s second son Prince Andrew, who is facing a US civil case for s.e.xual assault, has given up his honorary military and charitable roles, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.
With The Queen’s approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen,” a statement said. The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.
The announcement came after a judge in New York on Wednesday ruled against the 61-year-old prince, who had tried to have the case against him thrown out.
Andrew, a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot who flew in the 1982 Falklands War, is accused of sexually assaulting Virginia Giuffre when she was 17. Were this any other senior military officer it is inconceivable that he would still be in post,” the veterans wrote in a joint letter made public by the anti-monarchy pressure group Republic.
“Officers of the British armed forces must adhere to the very highest standards of probity, honesty and honourable conduct.
“These are standards which Prince Andrew has fallen well short of,” they wrote, adding that he had “brought the services he is associated with into disrepute”. Senior members of the British royal family have typically been appointed as honorary heads of military units, with the Queen’s approval.
Source: eNCA
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