Queen sparks controversy with decision to keep Prince Andrew in military role
The Queen has outraged some military officials with her decision to keep disgraced son Prince Andrew in his senior military role.
Questions about whether or not the Duke of York should maintain his military titles have been circulating since he formally exited royal life in 2019, following details of his relationship with convicted sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Queen has 'let it be known' she wants Prince Andrew to maintain his senior Guards role - to the dismay of many military officials. Getty
Now, a senior military source says the Queen wants her son to maintain his senior Guards role.
"The Queen has let it be known to the regiment that she wants the Duke of York to remain as colonel and the feeling is that nobody wants to do anything that could cause upset to the colonel-in-chief," the source told The Times.
"It is a very difficult, unsatisfactory situation," they said.
However, since the duke has stepped down from public life, he is unable to carry out any of his formal duties as colonel — which has upset many military officials.
"For the brief time he was in post, he was a good colonel, but the feeling across the regiment is that it's not appropriate to retain him," the source said.
Now that Andrew has stepped down from royal duties, he is unable to perform any of his formal duties in the military PA Images via Getty Images
"You can't have a colonel who can't do public duties."
Andrew's reputation and future in the military has been particularly unstable of late, in the wake of the .
Andrew has repeatedly denied allegations he had sexual contact with Ms Giuffre after she claimed she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew when she was aged 17 and a minor under US law.
RELATED: Victoria Arbiter: 'If Prince Andrew hopes to salvage any respect, he has to step up'
Buckingham Palace has supported Prince Andrew's claims, saying in a previous statement: "It is emphatically denied that The Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts [now Giuffre]."
Yet, a royal insider told The Mirror senior royals, particularly Prince William and Prince Charles, are "increasingly concerned" about the impact of the allegations against the duke on Her Majesty and the monarchy's reputation.
The insider also claimed the family has "serious and growing doubts" about the way the allegations are being handled by Andrew and his legal team.
For a daily dose of 9Honey, sign up here to receive our top stories straight to your inbox
Most viewed in Royals
Fresh blow for Prince Harry days after King’s letter clarifying his and Meghan’s royal status
Harry hasn’t spoken to king since return, takes issue with ‘private citizens’ wording
Prince George is as tall as his parents as they drop him off for his first day at Eton College
Prince Harry and Meghan reportedly ‘a little surprised’ by King Charles’ letter
