HEARTBREAKING: Prince Andrew dealt fresh blow as coat of arms banner REMOVED at Windsor Castle

Prince Andrew

It has been reported the ceremonial banner bearing Prince Andrew’s heraldic insignia has been taken down from its position within St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The flags, or banners, on the ceiling of St. George’s Chapel represent the members of the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in Britain. Each banner displays the owner’s complete coat of arms and is hung above the choir stall.

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The removal of the display usually only happens in cases of high treason or taking up arms against the Crown.

‌Windsor Castle

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 and this ancient chivalric institution dates back to the 14th century.

Photos shared by The Sun show the banner was on display on Saturday, but removed on Wednesday. It features three lions of England, the harp of Ireland and Scotland’s lion rampant. An anchor symbolises his naval career.

A source told The Sun: “It was removed at the most convenient moment.”

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The chapel is where Andrew watched the funerals of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, and late father, Prince Philip, 18 months earlier.

Prince Andrew was last week reportedly pushed into voluntarily relinquishing his royal titles amid continuing fallout from accusations that he had sex with Jeffrey Epstein trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was just 17 when she had sex with the royal.

‌The flags, or banners, on the ceiling of St. George's Chapel represent the members of the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in Britain

He has always vehemently denied the accusations, and reached an out-of-court settlement in 2022 to halt a civil trial with Giuffre taking place in the United States.

The King’s brother is facing increasing calls to vacate his 30-room mansion amid the continuing furore over his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and the publication of the posthumous memoirs by his sexual assault accuser Virginia Giuffre. But he remains living in the grand Royal Lodge, and the scandal continues to dominate the headlines.

Claims emerged that the prince’s “peppercorn” rent on the Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park was concealed in a redacted version of his lease submitted to the Land Registry more than 20 years ago.