Donald Trump issues statement on Andrew as he is stripped of every royal title
US President Donald Trump has spoken out on the controversy surrounding Prince Andrew and his ties with Jeffrey Epstein, as he is set to be stripped of all his royal titles
Donald Trump has has expressed his sympathy for the Royal family amid the continuing scandal surrounding Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's connections with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
King Charles has begun the process of stripping all Royal titles from his disgraced brother - including 'prince' - whilst evicting him from his Royal Lodge residence.
Andrew's association with Jeffrey Epstein has placed the royals under immense scrutiny, alongside claims by Virginia Giuffre that the former duke had sexual relations with her on three occasions when she was just 17. He maintains his denial of all accusations.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One late Sunday evening, the former US president was questioned about the King's move to remove his brother's peerages and princely title. Trump said: "It's a terrible thing that's happened to the (royal) family. That's been a tragic situation. It's too bad. I feel badly for the family."
Earlier that day, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed Andrew will lose his honorary vice-admiral rank, bestowed upon him on his 55th birthday in 2015. The position represents his final remaining honorary military title after surrendering the others in 2022 following the Epstein controversy, reports the Mirror.
The Defence Secretary declined to comment on whether Andrew would retain his medals, including the campaign medal awarded for his Falklands War service, but indicated the Ministry of Defence would be "guided by the decisions the King makes". Sources from the Ministry of Defence have revealed that they are considering whether Andrew will revert to his rank of commander, which he earned during his active military service, or if he will be stripped of his naval rank entirely.
Andrew's Duke of York title has already been erased from the Roll of Peerages. Andrew has had ties with the Royal Navy since 1979, when he commenced officer training at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.
He later served as a helicopter pilot and was part of the military operation to retake the Falklands following Argentina's invasion in 1982. His active duty in the Royal Navy ended in 2001 with the rank of commander, although he subsequently received ceremonial promotions, reaching the rank of vice-admiral by 2015.