Prince Andrew's US civil trial for sexual assault left his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, no choice but to deprive him of his honorary military titles.
The Queen's decision, made in a brief statement on Thursday, dominated UK headlines on Friday, with many seeing it as a wish to "separate herself" from her son.
"It's always been about the royal institution's survival," the Daily Mail said.
In addition to losing royal patronages, he will also lose the title "His Royal Highness", according to royal historian Bob Morris.
"It was time to move him out of the spotlight," he told AFP.
A New York judge declined on Wednesday to dismiss a civil claim accusing the prince of sexually assaulting Virginia Giuffre, then 17.
Jeffrey Epstein, the prince's buddy, offered her to him.
150 military men wrote to the Queen, accusing Andrew, 61, of lacking "probity, honesty, and honorable conduct."
The long-running issue surrounding the Duke of York, ninth in line to the throne, threatens to overshadow the queen's 70th birthday celebrations in June.
"I thought it was outrageous that retired military veterans demanded titles be eliminated," said Penny Junor, a British royal expert.
"It harms the Queen because she is viewed as shielding her son."
'Wolf'
"The time had come to implement a Plan B to defend the monarchy and, in particular, the Platinum Jubilee," Morris stated.
A military parade, a major concert in London, and a pudding competition are all planned for early June.
The Queen, whose public appearances are decreasing, is claimed to have reached her choice after consulting with Charles, the heir, and Prince William, her grandson and second in line to the throne.
Andrew reportedly drove with his lawyer to Windsor Castle.
He lives at Royal Lodge, the Queen's mother's former residence, three miles from the castle.
On Friday, he was urged to "renounce his title as Duke of York" due to the case's impact on the northern English metropolis.
Morris predicts that regardless of the outcome of the civil lawsuit in New York, the wrath will be directed against Andrew rather than the monarchy.
"Andrew is the family's black sheep," he added.
Andrew retains his title as Duke of York and is the Queen's "Counsellor of State", allowing him to temporarily assume her duties if needed.
His public existence was cut short during a disastrous 2019 televised appearance in which he was questioned about sexual assault allegations, which he rejects categorically.
On Friday, a government official refused to disclose whether his security detail was still taxpayer-funded.
It's also unknown if he'll be able to attend his father's memorial service at Westminster Abbey.
-news24
