Andrew no longer HRH

PRINCE Andrew has been stripped of his royal title and military honours after a royal showdown with his mother, the

Queen.

The bombshell news was announced by Buckingham Palace and came amid the Duke of York’s civil sexual assault lawsuit.

The Queen removed Prince Andrew’s military affiliations and royal patronages effective immediately, after he was accused of sexually assaulting Australian-based woman Virginia Roberts Giuffre when she was 17 years old.

He will no longer be able to use “His Royal Highness” and will face his US lawsuit as a “private citizen”, meaning he cannot hide behind royal privileges.

The Queen’s move came after a judge sensationally gave the go-ahead for a civil trial before a jury in New York, expected to happen later this year.

Prince Andrew, 61, vehemently denies the allegations.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “With the Queen’s approval and agreement, the Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.

“The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”

Queen Elizabeth confirmed the bombshell news publicly, after informing Prince Andrew of her decision during a face-toface meeting.

The only other royal to lose his royal title and patronages recently was Prince Harry, who relinquished them when he moved to the US with Meghan Markle.

A source claimed the decision to strip Prince Andrew of his military titles was “widely discussed among the royal family”.

Ms Roberts Giuffre’s lawyer has said it is unlikely she would accept a “purely financial settlement” to end the civil lawsuit.

“I think it’s very important to Virginia Giuffre that this matter be resolved in a way that vindicates her and vindicates the other victims,” the lawyer David Boies told the BBC, per The Guardian.

Mr Boies said there “was no interest” in mediation, despite a past request.

Prince Andrew is reportedly prepared to do “whatever is necessary” to stop his trial from overshadowing the Queen’s platinum jubilee.