Prince Andrew could be stripped of his titles by Queen after Harry and Meghan Markle ‘set precedent’, say experts

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PRINCE Andrew could be stripped of his royal title, experts have said – after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry “set a precedent”.

The royal faces mounting pressure to drop the Duke of York from his name after being accused of sexually assaulting Virginia Giuffre three times when she was 17.

Prince Andrew could be stripped of his royal title in a worst case scenario – although it is highly unlikely

One royal expert has said it is “highly improbable” Andrew would ever lose his official title – as the case would need to pass through parliament first.

But he suggested similar action to Harry and Meghan, who were asked not to use their HRH titles when they quit royal life, could be taken.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told HOAR Online: “In my view, the use of an Act of Parliament being used to remove his title, which it would legally need, is highly improbable.

“If he’s going to step down from all royal links permanently, as Meghan and Harry have, then you look at the situation where they kept the HRH and didn’t use it.

“They’ve set the precedent in that sense. It’s that that may apply if he were to use this case or were to be perceived to lose this case.”

Andrew has fiercely denied the allegations against him and says he has no memory of even meeting alleged victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

But he faces mounting pressure to quit his military and charitable roles as the case against him ramps up.

Nigel Cawthorne, author of Prince Andrew: Epstein, Maxwell and the Palace, previously told Newsweek: “Giuffre’s lawsuit will preclude a return to public duties.

“It is very difficult to see how Prince Andrew can return to the frontline of the monarchy while a suit is pending, or with a verdict against him passed in absentia.”

He added: “There are too many legal questions surrounding the prince and it is increasingly doubtful that he can hold on to his HRH status.”

The Queen’s second son is currently trying to get his bombshell lawsuit by his rape accuser dismissed – but judges last night ripped apart his lawyer’s case.

He was told he would find out “pretty soon” if he succeeded in his bid to have a lawsuit by alleged victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre thrown out of court.

But legal experts say the early signs are not good after Judge Lewis Kaplan subjected Andrew’s legal team to a bruising encounter during a crucial hearing in New York.

In the meantime, he has not attended a single military event since he stepped back from royal duties two years ago.

And according to reports, officers are now said to have appeared uncomfortable at being asked to drink to the duke’s health at the end of regimental dinners.

Julian Perreira, a former lance sergeant who served three tours of Afghanistan, said Andrew’s continued involvement in his legal battles 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.”

The Queen and Prince Andrew watch the Trooping of the Colour together in 2019