Prince Andrew, the third-born son of Queen Elizabeth, has returned to the sovereign all his residual official posts and honorary military ranks that he held in the name of the royal house in Great Britain.
The news comes in the aftermath of the American justice decision not to dismiss the civil suit filed against him for alleged sexual abuse. The Duke of York, soon 62, was involved in the accusations of one of the alleged victims, Virginia Giuffre, of the late American pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who committed suicide in prison in 2019.
Giuffre denounced him in August 2021 claiming she was forced to have sex with him when she was a minor.
The process should begin in the autumn but in the meantime the renunciation arrives, made officially by the prince himself but agreed with the queen (therefore in fact ordered). It concerns the roles historically assigned to Andrea representing the Windsor dynasty as patron of charitable or cultural associations. But above all the various military commands of honor, starting with that of colonel of the prestigious department of the Grenadier Guards, inherited from the late father Filippo, so far covered with pride even in his capacity as a veteran of the armed forces decorated for his participation in the front line to the Falklands / Malvinas war fought by the United Kingdom against Argentina.
"With the approval and the Agreement of the Queen - reads a note from Buckingham Palace - the military affiliations and royal patronages of the Duke of York have been returned to the hands" of His Majesty.
"The Duke of York - continues the note in reference to the suspension of the prince already in place for several months from any official activity of representation of the monarchy - will continue not to carry out public commitments" during the duration of the cause "and will defend himself in the context of this case as a private citizen ".
(Unioneonline / D)