The UK's Queen elizabeth II has approved the return of her son Prince Andrew's military titles and patronages. It has also been confirmed he will no longer be called His Royal Highness (HRH), according to Buckingham Palace on Thursday.

"With The Queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen," a statement said.

"The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."

READ MORE

UK hit by bird flu outbreak

What you need to know about Lateral Flow Tests

Top stories in China during 2021

The case referred to in the statement involves the civil trial Andrew will face later this year in the U.S. after a judge in New York dismissed the 61-year-old's motion to have the case thrown out.

The former Royal Navy helicopter pilot, who flew in the 1982 Falklands War, is accused of sexually assaulting Virginia Giuffre when she was 17 years old. Giuffre alleges the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein trafficked her for sex with his wealthy and powerful associates. 

Andrew, who is ninth in line to the UK throne, was forced to take a step back from royal duties in late 2019, after a television interview with the BBC in which he tried to defend his links to sex offender Epstein. He has strenuously and repeatedly denied Giuffre's allegations and has not been charged with a criminal offence.

Royal patronages are associations with charities and other organizations. Public outrage and the confirmation the civil case will go ahead has meant several charities and associations have distanced themselves from the prince. Since 2019, he has rarely been seen in public. 

The announcement comes after more than 150 Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army veterans wrote to the Queen, calling on her to strip Andrew of his ranks and titles. Queen Elizabeth II is commander-in-chief of the army, navy and air force and such a request must be approved by her.

"Were this any other senior military officer it is inconceivable that he would still be in post," the veterans wrote in a joint letter made public by the anti-monarchy pressure group Republic.

"Officers of the British armed forces must adhere to the very highest standards of probity, honesty and honorable conduct. These are standards which Prince Andrew has fallen well short of," they wrote, adding that he had "brought the services he is associated with into disrepute."

With the Queen's approval, senior members of the British royal family have typically been appointed as honorary heads of military units. Andrew was honorary colonel of the Grenadier Guards, the soldiers of which guard Buckingham Palace in their bearskin hats and red tunics.