The Queen has stripped Prince Andrew of his Royal patronages and his HRH title, Buckingham Palace has confirmed in a statement. 

The Duke's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to the Queen and he will no longer carry out any public duties.

The news comes after the Duke of York was confirmed to face a civil sex case trial following a US judge dismissal of a motion made by Andrew’s legal team. 

Here's what the HRH title means and why its removal is so significant.

What does HRH mean?

HRH stands for His or Her Royal Highness which is a title reserved for the most senior members of the Royal Family. 

It's been a longstanding tradition, since around the beginning of the 18th century, that the acronym is given to the children and grandchildren of the monarch.

However, the decision to bestow the honour is ultimately down to the monarch themselves. 

The Queen has extended the honour to various members of her family including her cousin Prince Michael of Kent, who is actually 48th in line to the throne.

Queen Elizabeth also offered the title to Prince Andrew's children Beatrice and Eugenie as well as her daughter Princess Anne's children, Peter and Zara but she declined the offer.

When speaking to a royal, the HRH term becomes His or Her Royal Highness.

Your Local Guardian: (left to right) Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew. Credit: PA(left to right) Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew. Credit: PA

Has anyone else lost the HRH title?

Yes, Prince Andrew is not the first Royal to have lost the title. 

Prince William and Harry's mother Diana had her HRH title removed following her divorce from Prince Charles.

Diana was instead given the title "Diana, Princess of Wales."

Similarly, Prince Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, lost her HRH following her divorce from the Duke.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who received a HRH title when she married the Prince, have retained their HRH status but cannot use them day to day.

This is because they no longer perform public duties for the Royal Family.