Duke of York's military titles returned to the Queen

The Duke of York's military titles and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen, Buckingham Palace has announced.

It comes after 152 veterans, members of the anti-monarchy group Republic, wrote to the Queen to demand Prince Andrew's removal from the honorary military positions.

The Duke will also no longer use his HRH title in any official capacity.

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In a statement, the 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.

"The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."

The Duke's military titles which have been returned to the Queen are: Colonel of the Grenadier Guards; Honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth; Colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment; Colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps; Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm; Royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers; Deputy colonel-in-chief of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths' Own); and Royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

He also had several overseas honorary roles, including: Colonel-in-chief of the Queen's York Rangers; Colonel-in-chief of The Royal Highland Fusiliers Of Canada; Colonel-in-chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York's Own); and Colonel-in-chief of the Princess Louise Fusiliers (in Nova Scotia, Canada).

The Ministry of Defence said it would not be commenting.

Prince Andrew is facing the prospect of a court appearance in a sexual assault civil trial in the United States.

Virginia Giuffre is suing the duke in the US for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager.

The Duke has strenuously denied the allegations.