There is no such "legal status" as a prince.
Split Thread Virginia Guiffre v Duke of York
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Or he needs to shut her up so he can get back to the lads and his many women.
EHocking
Penultimate Amazing
FTFY
arthwollipot
Observer of Phenomena, Pronouns: he/him
Last year I visited the castle owned and occupied by the current head of the Saxe-Coburg Gotha family - Schlosse Greinburg. Lots of portraits about. Their defining characteristics: Huge jawlines and haemophilia.
There was basically one guy who arranged marriages throughout northern Europe, and he didn't care about marrying cousins.
ETA: I just found out that the "current" head of the family died this year.
There was basically one guy who arranged marriages throughout northern Europe, and he didn't care about marrying cousins.
ETA: I just found out that the "current" head of the family died this year.
The thing I found most surprising was how low Andrew's Naval pension is. £20K a year for a vice-admiral after 23 years of active service.
(Not that the amount would make any sort of dent in his normal expenditure.)
(Not that the amount would make any sort of dent in his normal expenditure.)
I suspect it's not been calculated on that plus if the £20,000 is the actual amount that's not a usual pension, it wouldn't be so neat a number.
ETA: I asked Co-pilot about the pension - so don't take this as gospel:
A UK Vice-Admiral retiring after 23 years of active service would receive an annual pension of approximately £40,478, plus a tax-free lump sum of around £121,434.
Here’s how that breaks down based on the latest Ministry of Defence pension tables and scheme structures:
Pension Estimate for Vice-Admiral (OF-7) with 23 Years of Service
- Annual Pension (Retired Pay): £40,478
This figure comes from the 2020 Tri-Service Pension Codes for officers at OF-6 rank (Vice-Admiral equivalent) with 23 years of reckonable service.- Tax-Free Lump Sum: £121,434
Under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 75 (AFPS 75), the lump sum is typically three times the annual pension.
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Well, I'm sure the figure quoted in the press has been rounded. What else would it be calculated on?
Probably just a gift pension for being one of the lads.
One ray of light for him, apparently he is now eligible, as a non-Royal, to claim a state pension from next year. 
(Couldn't read the whole story as it's paywalled in the Torygraph, so I don't know why they're saying £9000 a year, not £12,000)
ETA: Managed to find a way to read the article. He's eligible because of his Navy service, not because he's no longer a Royal. The £9k is the maximum he could get, based on his likely level of NI contributions, and if he topped up the maximum number of missing years that he could.
Apologies if not of interest, but my pension is due about the same time as his, so it's something I'm currently aware of.
(Couldn't read the whole story as it's paywalled in the Torygraph, so I don't know why they're saying £9000 a year, not £12,000)
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www.telegraph.co.uk
ETA: Managed to find a way to read the article. He's eligible because of his Navy service, not because he's no longer a Royal. The £9k is the maximum he could get, based on his likely level of NI contributions, and if he topped up the maximum number of missing years that he could.
Apologies if not of interest, but my pension is due about the same time as his, so it's something I'm currently aware of.
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catsmate
No longer the 1
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I believe the vice-admiralship is honorary. His highest actual rank as commander.
theprestige
Penultimate Amazing
In the US, vice-admiralships and other three-star ranks are restricted by statue. There are a certain number of three-star offices, defined by law. The rank goes with the office, and is removed upon leaving office. For example, the Director of the National Security Agency is defined in law as a three-star office. A two-star admiral gains a third star when being promoted into that office. Typically, a three-star officer will retire at the end of their term in that office, rather than return to service at their lower rank. Their pension is determined by the lower rank.
P.J. Denyer
Penultimate Amazing
I have no idea what the rules are for normal mortals here in the UK, but those that have dropped out of the Queen's uterus collect military ranks and honours like a dog collects fleas, even when they don't complete training. Handsy was also the Queen's favourite which didn't hurt either.
theprestige
Penultimate Amazing
I have no problem with nobility holding military rank, as long as it's earned, and even if the office is a sinecure.
What I find interesting about the American system is that it absolutely denies the option of honorary military rank. Even the highest panjandrum in the land can't magically out-rank a career officer who's been confirmed to high office.
sphenisc
Philosopher
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If he had to be any kind of admiral that seems the most appropriate one.
arthwollipot
Observer of Phenomena, Pronouns: he/him
Welcome to a thousand-year-old monarchy.
Both Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and his nephew Prince Harry saw active military combat - Andrew in the Falklands and Harry in Afghanistan.
On the other hand, Admiral, General, Air Chief Marshal Princess Anne.
P.J. Denyer
Penultimate Amazing
**Cough** Edward **Cough**
To be fair, he did at least sign up for the Royal Marines, even if he was more at home with the luvvies at the Really Useful Theatre Company and only lasted four months in uniform. He doesn't hold any military rank except for Second Lieutenant which he was actually entitled to.
P.J. Denyer
Penultimate Amazing
Are you sure about that? I seem to remember a recent portrait of him in a rather elaborate uniform with quite a few medals.
Probably Order of the Garter or some other honour, but I'm pretty sure he has no military rank.
ETA: Ok, I'm wrong, in that he's the honorary Colonel-in-Chief of a few regiments. That is slightly different from the military ranks that Anne has, however.
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