Stripped of his rank and royal patron status, Prince Andrew: Stunned

　　China News Network on January 15, comprehensive foreign media news, after buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom announced that the British royal family deprived Prince Andrew, Duke of York of the rank and royal patron status, the British media quoted sources around the prince as saying that Prince Andrew was "stunned" by this decision.

　　Britain's "Mirror" reported that a person close to Prince Andrew said he was "shocked" after the Queen stripped him of his military title and royal patronage.

　　The decision was announced at a time when Prince Andrew was facing a civil lawsuit filed against him in New York by American woman Virginia Euphoria, who accused him of sexual assault. Prince Andrew has consistently denied the allegation, and a person close to Prince Andrew said he would "continue to defend himself". After losing his military rank and the right to use the title of His Highness, he will continue to assume no public responsibility and defend the case as an ordinary citizen.

Infographic: Prince Andrew of the United Kingdom.

　　Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "With the Queen's approval and consent, the military relations of the Duke of York and the status of royal patron have been returned to the Queen. ”

　　Britain's "Daily Mirror" learned that the conversation lasted for more than an hour. Earlier, the Queen spoke on the phone with her son, Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, at the Scottish residence. The Daily Mail source said the British royal family had been discussing the legal dispute between Prince Andrew and Uvery for weeks, and both Prince Charles and Prince William insisted on resolving the issue as soon as possible.

　　The Times sources said that after losing his title, Prince Andrew may lose a luxurious mansion in Windsor Grand Park. This is the house that was acquired in 2003 and renovated for £7.5 million. In addition, state guards may be removed from their side.

　　The BBC reported that a source said all of Prince Andrew's duties had been immediately returned to the Queen and would be redistributed to other members of the royal family. The analysis said this means that these positions will not be reinstated regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit. At the same time, British royal family sources said that Prince Andrew would also stop using the title of Prince's Highness in official occasions.

　　The analysis said Buckingham Palace's response was almost brutally swift. The British royal family is distancing itself from the negative impact of the allegations against Prince Andrew.

　　On August 9, 2021, Virginia Euphrey, a 38-year-old American woman, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the New York District of Saying she was one of the sex trafficking victims of the rich American Epstein and accusing Prince Andrew of the United Kingdom of sexually abusing her three times when she was only 17 years old, and Prince Andrew was aware of it.

　　Prince Andrew has always denied having sex with Ueverly, asking the court to dismiss the claim but was not granted.

　　Prince Andrew is one of the most well-known figures embroiled in Epstein's sex scandal. Epstein committed suicide in his cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial in prison.

Source: China News Network