Prince Andrew, Duke of York rejects his promotion to Admiral- a military position that is in line with a longstanding policy that sees senior royals treated as serving military members.
A Palace spokeswoman said: “By convention, the Duke of York would be in line for military promotion on his 60th birthday. Following the decision by His Royal Highness to step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, the Duke of York has asked the Ministry of Defence if this promotion might be deferred until such time that His Royal Highness returns to public duty.”
Andrew, who left the Royal Navy in 2001 to become a full-time working royal, was promoted to Rear Admiral on his 50th birthday in 2010. Five years later on his 55th birthday, he accepted the rank of Vice Admiral.
However, on his 60th birthday this year the flags will not be flying on government buildings in his honour as Labour MP Wes Streeting told the newspaper that it “would be wholly inappropriate”.
Johnson’s spokesman said the email, sent by a civil servant in the local government ministry, was an “administrative email about long-standing policy”.
Designated days for flying the British flag on UK government buildings include the birthdays of the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, their wedding day, the birthdays of their four children and of their grandson Prince William and his wife Kate.
The Duke stepped down from royal duties in November, following his TV interview with BBC Newsnight, which focused on his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Prince Andrew released a statement via Buckingham Palace after the incident:
“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support. Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”
