China News Service, January 15 (Xinhua) According to comprehensive foreign media news, after Buckingham Palace stated that the British royal family deprived Prince Andrew of the Duke of York of his military rank and royal patronage, British media quoted sources close to the prince as saying that Prince Andrew was unconvinced by the decision. "stunned".
The Mirror reports 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 comes as Prince Andrew faces a civil lawsuit in New York brought against him by American woman Virginia Ufrey, who accuses 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 Royal Highness, he will continue to bear no public responsibility and defend the case as an ordinary citizen.
File:Prince Andrew of the United Kingdom.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "With the Queen's approval and consent, the Duke of York's military ties and status as Patron of the Royal Family have been returned to the Queen."
The Daily Mirror has learned that the conversation lasted more than an hour.
The Queen spoke by phone with her son, Prince Charles, who is at his Scottish residence, the heir to the throne.
Daily Mail sources say the royal family has been discussing the legal dispute between Prince Andrew and Yufri for weeks, with both Princes Charles and William insisting that the issue be resolved as soon as possible.
According to The Times, Prince Andrew could lose a mansion in Windsor Great Park after losing his title.
This was acquired in 2003 and cost £7.5 million to renovate.
In addition, state guards may be removed from their side.
The BBC reported that a source said all of Prince Andrew's duties were immediately returned to the Queen and would be reassigned to other members of the royal family.
According to the analysis, this means that no matter what the outcome of the lawsuit is, these positions will not be resumed.
At the same time, British royal sources said that Prince Andrew will also stop using the title of His Royal Highness in official occasions.
Analysis said Buckingham Palace's response was brutally swift.
The British royal family is distanced from the negative fallout from the allegations against Prince Andrew.
On August 9, 2021, the 38-year-old American woman Virginia Ufrey filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in New York, claiming that she was one of the sex trafficking victims of the rich American Epstein, and accused the British Prince Andrew of three times against him. She sexually abused her when she was only 17 and Prince Andrew knew about it.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied ever having a sexual relationship with Youfrey, asking the court to dismiss the claim, which was not granted.
Prince Andrew is one of the most well-known figures involved in the Epstein sex scandal.
Epstein committed suicide in his cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial in prison.