The Queen has stripped Prince Andrew of his military affiliations and royal patronages, as it was confirmed by sources he will never return to official duties.

And the Duke of York can no longer use the title His Royal Highness in any official capacity.

Insiders said he will fade away from public life for ever.

The Mirror can exclusively reveal the Queen ruthlessly made her mind up on Wednesday, after a summit with future king Prince William at her Windsor Castle home.

She decided that Andrew, mired in sex abuse claims and now facing a civil trial, should be stripped of his ­affiliations and patronages.

The Queen stripped Prince Andrew of his military affiliations and royal patronage (
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Andrew, 61, was summoned by his mum today to be told of her move. He looked “pensive” as he arrived.

The ruthless decision came less than 24 hours after New York judge Lewis Kaplan ruled he must face a civil trial on allegations he ­sexually abused Virginia Giuffre when she was 17. He denies the accusations.

But he will now have to face his trial as an ­ordinary citizen.

Buckingham Palace said: “With the Queen’s approval and ­agreement, The Duke of York’s military ­affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.

“He will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”

Prince William had an emergency summit with the Queen to discuss about Prince Andrew's future (
Image:
WireImage)
Prince Andrew will never return to official duties (
Image:
Getty Images)

William met the Queen in her private quarters at Windsor Castle, where sources said it was decided the “axe should swiftly fall” on Andrew’s royal career. A royal source said last night the Duke of Cambridge was locked in talks “for more than an hour” with his gran.

Another suggested the Queen came to “the ­realisation Andrew’s position was grave indeed” after ­conversations with Princes Charles and William.

The source added: “If as expected Andrew offers and goes ahead with a multi-million pound settlement then his position will become untenable. The Queen could not take the chance of it coming to that and decided, along with her two heirs, the time for action had come.”

A royal source said: “The Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge are completely aligned in their view that the Duke of York has presided over a complete and utter disaster.”

A source said Andrew was 'well-shocked' (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)

A source close to Andrew last night described him as “shell-shocked”.

The source added: “Given the robustness with which Judge Kaplan greeted our ­arguments, we are ­unsurprised by the ruling.

“However, it was not a judgement on the merits of Ms Giuffre’s ­allegations. The Duke will continue to defend himself against these claims.”

Andrew has handed back all 12 of his military affiliations, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.

The Queen today came under mounting pressure to act with a letter signed by more than 150 Navy, RAF and Army veterans asking her to strip him of his military appointments.

The Queen had come under pressure to act (
Image:
UK Press via Getty Images)

One, Lieutenant Stuart Hunt – who served in The 1st Royal Tank ­Regiment – welcomed her ­decision.

The 52-year-old, of ­Holmfirth, West Yorks, accused the Duke of bringing the armed forces into disrepute and said he should have stood down from the roles years ago. Mr Hunt added: “I’m just glad he’s not associated with the military now.” Patronages Andrew was stripped of include Royal Portrush and Royal County Down golf clubs in Northern Ireland.

A source said: “There will be immense relief by members that this decision has been taken out of their hands.” Sources close to Andrew said having to shred his military ties will be “hugely painful”considering his service as a ­helicopter pilot during the Falklands War.

Virginia Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew (
Image:
NBC News)

The Mirror ­understands William has been ­“incandescent” at how his uncle has behaved throughout the legal saga with Ms Giuffre, 38.

A settlement remains “on the table” with Ms Giuffre but her lawyer David Boies insisted she is not motivated by cash. He said: “She wants justice.”

He will remain a Prince and a Duke, and hold on to his ninth place in the line of succession to the throne. It is ­understood he will keep his security detail paid for by the taxpayer.

And he is to hold on to a select few military titles such as Vice Admiral of the Royal Navy, having earned them throughout his military career.

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