Andrew will not attend Jubilee parade with military titles in doubt
Prince Andrew, Duke of York will not take part in next year’s Platinum Jubilee Trooping the Colour, as royal sources admitted Thursday there were “difficult discussions” to be had about his military titles.
There is increasing concern about the crisis engulfing the Duke, with senior members of the Royal family kept in the dark about his legal position.
The civil lawsuit lodged this week in New York alleging sexual abuse against the Duke has ensured he is highly unlikely to return to public duties.
Members of the Royal family, including Prince
Charles, Prince of Wales, fear the damage his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein has caused to the monarchy is already too great. As such, his military titles, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, will eventually have to be removed, senior royal sources said. One source said: “It is difficult to envisage how the Duke will be able to retain his military titles. At some point, if and when it is accepted that he will not return to public life, there will be some difficult discussions to be had.”
Another aide said: “He will not be able to take part in Trooping the Colour next year if the Epstein scandal is still hanging over him, and no one can see this going away any time soon. He will have to be replaced.”
Prince Charles on Thursday travelled to Birkhall, his Scottish residence, prompting speculation he could be headed for crisis talks with Prince Andrew, who is staying with the Queen at nearby Balmoral.
Sources close to him declined to comment on the prospect of a showdown, insisting there was no guarantee the two would meet.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall holiday at Birkhall every summer.
Prince Andrew is Vice-admiral in the Navy, Commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm and Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps. He also still holds honorary military titles.
A senior Navy source said: “It’s time for him to let the relevant organizations in the military know that because of ongoing allegations ... he will stand down so as not to embarrass the nation.”