Buckingham Palace released an extraordinary statement on Thursday evening in which it completely washed its hands of the Duke of York, saying he was a “private citizen.”
The 42-word bulletin settled the contentious issue of Prince Andrew’s status within the family, with it being confirmed that The Queen has removed the 61-year-old of his HRH status.
He has also lost his association to all of his patronages, with the 95-year-old monarch assuming responsibility for his former charitable links.
Any honorary military titles he was afforded have also been stripped.
The Buckingham Palace statement read: “The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”
The last few words of the statement about Andrew being a private citizen is key – the Palace will no longer speak for him.
The Duke is facing a civil trial in the United States over allegations of sexual assault after a judge rejected his arguments to have the case thrown out.
Andrew is accused by Virginia Giuffre of sexually assaulting her when she was seventeen years old – something he has always strenuously denied.
It is understood that other members of The Royal Family will now take on Prince Andrew’s former patronages.
