The ceremonial banner bearing Prince Andrew’s heraldic insignia has been taken down from its position within St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, according to reports.
The flag was removed on Wednesday, having hung alongside Prince William’s standard since 2006.
Andrew received the honour of displaying his coat of arms in the chapel when he was inducted into the Order of the Garter 19 years ago. This ancient chivalric institution dates back to the 14th century.
Such removals from the chapel are exceptionally rare and traditionally reserved for the most serious breaches.
Prince Andrew’s banner quietly removed from Windsor Castle after nearly two decades
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GETTY
Historical precedent shows that banners are typically only taken down in instances of high treason or when a member takes up arms against the monarchy.
Prince Andrew has not been officially stripped of his knighthood, but chose to surrender it voluntarily. He also agreed to stop using his Duke of York title.
These decisions followed revelations that he had misrepresented when he last communicated with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew’s connections to Epstein and his £12million settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse, have caused significant controversy. The prince has always vigorously denied any wrongdoing.
Banners with coats of arms in St George’s Chapel
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PA
A source told The Sun: “It was removed at the most convenient moment.”
The chapel holds particular significance for Andrew as the location where he attended the funeral services for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022 and his father, Prince Philip, 18 months prior.
The banner displayed Andrew’s personal heraldic design, which incorporated the three lions representing England, Ireland’s harp, and the lion rampant of Scotland. A naval anchor was also featured, reflecting his service career at sea.
This particular coat of arms follows the same pattern used by both King George V and King George VI during their respective tenures as Duke of York.
Prince William and Prince Andrew at the Order of the Garter ceremony in 2010
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The design represents a longstanding royal tradition linking successive holders of the dukedom.
Photographs taken on Saturday showed the banner still in place within the chapel, but by Wednesday it had been removed.
The timing of its removal has drawn attention, particularly given the sensitive nature of Andrew’s withdrawal from public duties and the circumstances surrounding his relinquishment of the honour.
The Order of the Garter, established by Edward III in 1348, has expelled forty knights throughout its nearly 700-year history.
When members were removed in disgrace, tradition dictated a dramatic ceremony where their banner would be cast onto the chapel floor for heralds to kick outside into a ditch.
Andrew has maintained a limited connection to the Order since 2019, no longer participating in public ceremonies.
However, he has continued to attend the private annual June luncheons reserved for members.
Royal insiders have expressed frustration over Andrew’s continued association with the prestigious Order, particularly given his controversial connections.
His membership has remained a contentious issue within Palace circles, especially considering the gravity of the allegations and financial settlement that led to his withdrawal from royal duties.