Politics
Prince Andrew ‘quits prestigious Navy club’ as he continues to pull back from public life after rape claims settlement
PRINCE Andrew has reportedly quit the prestigious Naval and Military Club as he continues to pull back from public life.
The disgraced Duke of York is said to have “disappeared from the books” in wake of his landmark settlement with rape accuser Virginia Giuffre.
GettyThe Duke of York has reportedly left the resigned from the renowned Naval club[/caption]
Google MapsPrince Philip had previously served as the president of the ‘In & Out’ organisation[/caption]
He had been a member of the historical consortium – aptly known as the In & Out – since rising through the ranks of the Royal Navy.
The move marks a particularly low point for the 62-year-old, as his late father Prince Phillip had previously served as the club’s president.
Andrew was sensationally stripped of all his titles and military honors in wake of the sex assault case, seeing his once commendable status crumble.
But as he headed on a collision course with Ms Giuffre, the Duke decided to settle the case financially to avoid a gruelling legal clash.
Andrew has vehemently denied all claims against him and the sum of money agreed between the two parties may never be released.
“Well placed sources” told the Mail on Sunday he had bowed out of the Navy club as he shies away from the spotlight.
An insider said: “The Duke’s name remained on the members’ list at the In & Out for several months, even after he stepped down as a member of the Royal Family, but in recent days his name has disappeared from the books.”
Andrew enjoyed a Naval career spanning over two decades and had been continually promoted after calling time on his active role.
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A string of his royal relatives were members of the Naval and Military Club, which describes itself as a “blended, eclectic mix” of like-minded people from a “wide range of backgrounds”.
The organisation was originally created in 1862 for “gentlemen of the British Armed Forces” but now welcomes women and those who haven’t served.
It takes its name the In and Out from the etchings on te pair of commanding pillars at the front of the building at 94 Piccadilly in London.
Ten years ago, Prince Philip celebrated the club’s 150th anniversary by marching members around St James’s Square.
The Naval and Military Club also remembered the Duke of Edinburgh in June last year by commemorating his 100th birthday with a party.
Andrew has now reportedly cut ties with the close-knit sailors club after stumping up the cash to pay Ms Guiffre.
The Queen’s youngest son was spotted for the first time since the settlement on March 8 driving through Windsor.
He was seen driving his Range Rover from his Royal Lodge home to visit the Queen for around an hour.
Ms Giuffre accused Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her when she was 17 while she travelled with Andrew’s paedo pals Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
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Court documents show the Duke will make a “substantial donation to Ms Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights”.
Andrew has also pledged to “demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein” by supporting the “fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims.”