Prince Andrew could be ‘stripped of military roles’ after Epstein scandal as officers ‘uncomfortable toasting Duke’
PRINCE Andrew could be forced to quit up to nine military roles as pressure over his involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal mounts.
The Duke of York has not attended a single military event since he stepped back from royal duties two years ago - accused of having sex with one of Epstein's victims three times.
Officers are now said to have appeared uncomfortable at being asked to drink to the duke's health at the end of regimental dinners, reports.
And Julian Perreira, a former lance sergeant who served three tours of Afghanistan, said Andrew's continued involvement in the case would “stain” the regiment’s history.
Mr Perreira told the publication: "Being allowed to retain his role as colonel of the Grenadier Guards and other military titles, Prince Andrew will put a stain on the regiment's proud history and will devalue the hard work of past and future generations of Grenadiers.
"He must step down immediately."
Andrew, 61, became colonel-in-chief of the Grenadier Guards in 2017 after inheriting the position from the Duke of Edinburgh.
It means he holds the title for nine military units, regiments and corps - and only the Queen has the power to withdraw it.
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Last week, Andrew's pal Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty of sex trafficking girls for paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to abuse.
In a separate civil case, Andrew is accused of sexually assaulting one of Epstein's victim's, Virginia Giuffre, three times when she was 17 - which he vehemently denies.
But Richard Kemp, retired colonel and ex commander of British troops in Afghanistan, believes Her Majesty would put her duty to the military before her family if Andrew’s legal troubles intensify.
He said: “If she decides it would be right for Andrew to forfeit his military titles she will do so, putting her duty to the forces above any family considerations or personal views.”
Andrew has already been rocked by claims he could be stripped of his Duke of York title if he loses the lawsuit brought by Ms Giuffre.
And royal courtiers have reportedly discussed plans to send him into “internal exile” — including stopping him using his title and other options, such as giving up all his charity links.
Royal expert Russell Myers claimed Andrew will not be “anywhere near” public celebrations for the Queen's jubilee next year and will be “banished” from any outings.
He told the podcast Pod Save the Queen there will "obviously a lot of nervousness within Palace walls how this could potentially overshadow the celebration," adding: “Certainly, I don’t think Andrew will be anywhere near the public celebrations, banished from the balcony, banished from any public outing.”
It comes as high-powered lawyers for the duke and Ms Giuffre, 38, will go head-to-head at a video conference hearing in New York on Tuesday to decide the future of her lawsuit.
Before they do, a secret deal between Epstein and Ms Giuffre will be made public for the first time today - after Andrew's lawyers lobbied for it to go public.
The 2009 settlement had been kept under seal, but judges last month ordered it to be released on January 3 unless "good cause" could be shown otherwise.
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Andrew Brettler, the duke's lawyer, said the undisclosed documents will release him from liability as they cover "royalty" and anyone Virginia might sue.
But her lawyer David Boies countered that it applied "at most" to people involved in underlying litigation in Florida, where Epstein had a home and his "house of horrors", and Andrew should not use it as a "get out of jail free card".
