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Prince Andrew faces being stripped of his round-the-clock armed police protection in a fresh blow to the Queen’s second son, the Evening Standard can reveal.

The Home Office is recommending a major downgrade of security for the Duke of York after his enforced “retirement” from public life, according to senior sources.

Scotland Yard has completed a thorough review, the Standard understands, and “conclusions have been reached and recommendations made”.

A final decision is in the hands of Home Secretary Priti Patel and, ultimately, the Prime Minister.

It comes as the Queen and senior royals continue to grapple with the implications of Harry and Meghan’s decision to step away from frontline duties.

A senior source said: “A review was ordered into the Met’s protection of HRH The Duke of York once it was announced he was stepping down from royal duties in November.

“Those in charge of royal security cannot write a blank cheque for anyone who does not have a public role for the foreseeable future. Round-the-clock armed protection is very expensive. The Met is obliged to review the position to ensure it is justified.”

Andrew was effectively forced to quit royal duties following his disastrous BBC interview over his links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew, 59, now faces the prospect of having no bodyguards or having to pay significant sums for them himself. It is understood he currently has protection in place while discussions with Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick and Ms Patel continue.

Last week the duke’s private secretary, Amanda Thirsk, ended her 15-year employment in the royal household after reaching a legal settlement. It is understood she will continue as CEO of the duke’s Pitch@Palace initiative backing entrepreneurs.

In Canada, the backlash continued over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s private assurances to the Queen, revealed by the Standard, that his government would cover the costs of protecting Harry, Meghan and Archie while they lived there.

Royal protection by armed Metropolitan Police officers is mandated by the Home Office.

Prince Andrew: The Duke of York - In pictures 58 show all Prince Andrew: The Duke of York - In pictures 1/58 Interview with Prince Andrew by Emily Maitlis of BBC's Newsnight in 2019 BBC 2/58 The Duke of York and Duchess of York kiss on the balcony of Buckinham Palace on the wedding day in 1986 PA 3/58 The Queen, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and their three children Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in 1960 AFP via Getty Images 4/58 The Duchess Of York and Prince Andrew at The Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, For Princess Beatrice's Christening Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images 5/58 Prince Edward, fourth child of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, grips the finger of his brother, four year old Prince Andrew in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace PA 6/58 The Queen, accompanied by Princess Anne, pushes the pram of her younger son, Prince Andrew, during a walk in the grounds at Balmoral PA 7/58 Surrounded by members of the Royal Family, Prince Andrew sits up and takes an interest in the proceedings from the comfort of his pram, in the Balmoral Estate. PA 8/58 Both wearing a kilt, 10 year old Princess Anne and 11 year old Prince Charles, share the task of pulling the pram of baby brother Prince Andrew for a walk in the grounds at Balmoral PA 9/58 the Queen and Prince Andrew, Duke of York, appear on 12 June 1961 on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Trooping the Colour AFP/Getty Images 10/58 Peter Phillips, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Andrew and the Duke of Edinburgh at Balmoral Castle. The Queen and Prince Philip were celebrating 32 years of marriage. PA 11/58 The Queen and Prince Andrew in the grounds of Balmoral, Scotland PA 12/58 The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh with two of their children, Prince Andrew and Prince Edwar, at Balmoral PA 13/58 Prince Andrew watching a polo match at Smith's Lawn in Windsor Great Park in 1967 Popperfoto/Getty Images 14/58 The Queen, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Andrew, Duke of York during the Windsor horse trials in 1968 AFP/Getty Images 15/58 The Queen Mother with Prince Andrew and Edward whilst watching Prince Philip and Prince Charles playing Polo At Windsor Great Park in 1968 Daily Mail 16/58 Informal portrait of Prince Charles playing a game of Bagatelle with his two young brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward at Sandringham in April 1969 Getty Images 17/58 Prince Andrew, Prince Charles and Prince Edward during a family holiday at Balmoral Castle PA 18/58 The Queen with Prince Andrew when he started school at Gordonstoun PA 19/58 The Queen accompanied by the Duke of York, at the Badminton Horse Trials on her 53rd birthday in 1979 PA 20/58 The Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Andrew in 1979 safari in Zambia Daily Mail 21/58 Prince Edward, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew. The Queen and Prince Philip will celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary in 1979 PA 22/58 Prince Andrew bites the stem of a red rose, after stepping ashore at Portsmouth, England on 16 September 1982 AP 23/58 The Duke of York ashore in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands in 1982 PA 24/58 Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in the US, 21st April 1984 Getty Images 25/58 The Duke of York at his official engagement day at Buckingham Palace in 1986 PA 26/58 The Duke of York and Duchess of York on the wedding day in 1986 PA 27/58 The Duke of York and Duchess of York on the wedding day in 1986 PA 28/58 The Duke of York and Duchess of York on the wedding day in 1986 PA 29/58 The Duke of York and Duchess of York on the wedding day in 1986 PA 30/58 Sarah, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew examine a broken polo mallet while walking across Smiths Lawn at Guards Polo Club in Windsor, Berkshire, after a visit to the Royal Ascot Races on June 18, 1986 Getty Images 31/58 The Duke and Duchess of York leaving his 30th Birthday at Annabel's in 1990 Dave Benett 32/58 Prince Andrew and Sarah Duchess of York with new baby daughter Princess Eugenie in 1990 Rex Features 33/58 Prince Andrew on his 38th Birthday with Sarah Ferguson, Duchess Of York and his two Daughters Princess Eugenie and Beatrice in Verbier Daily Mail 34/58 Great Britain's Prince Andrew, tees off the first hole at the Farm Neck Golf Club 27 August 1999 AFP via Getty Images 35/58 US President Bill Clinton (R) and Britian's Prince Andrew (L) head off for a round of golf at the Farm Neck Golf Club 27 August 1999 in Martha's Vineyard. The two made a joking wager for return of the island which was acquired by the US from Great Britian AFP via Getty Images 36/58 Prince Andrew of Britain rides in one of the New Zealand Army's General Dynamics LAV III Light Armoured Vehicles accompanied by Captain Dougal Barker (L) during a visit to Trentham Military Camp in Wellington, 30 September 2005 AFP via Getty Images 37/58 Prince Andrew, Duke of York accepts a challenge from a Maori warrior, part of the Maori welcome, during the Prince's visit to the Trentham Military Camp on the second day of his seven day visit to New Zealand, on March 16, 2007 in Wellington Getty Images 38/58 The Queen ) and Prince Philip are joined at Clarence House in London by Prince Charles, Prince Edward, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew on the occasion of a dinner hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to mark the forthcoming Diamond Wedding Anniversary of The Queen and The Duke on 18 November 2007 AFP via Getty Images 39/58 Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York (R) and his daughter Princess Eugenie (C) visit the debris to dedicate flowers to the deceased of the "Sichuan's May 12 earthquake" on November 4, 2008 in Dujiangyan, one of the worst earthquake-hit area of Sichuan Province, China Getty Images 40/58 Princess Beatrice with her parents, Prince Andrew, the Duke York and Sarah Ferguson following her graduation ceremony at Goldsmiths College in London on 9 September 2011 AFP/Getty Images 41/58 Prince Andrew, Duke of York and his daughters Princess Beatrice (L) and Princess Eugenie (C) wave as they travel along the Processional Route to Buckingham Palace after the Royal Wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London Warren Allott/WPA Pool/Getty Images 42/58 Prince Andrew, Duke of York sits in the royal box at Wimbledon during the 2014 championships Getty Images 43/58 The Queen, Princess Beatrice and Prince Andrew, Duke of York arrive in the Parade Ring they attend Ladies Day on day 3 of Royal Ascot in 2015 Getty Images 44/58 The Duke of York and the Prince of Wales in 2015 PA 45/58 Prince Andrew, Duke of York, attends a commemoration service at Manchester Cathedral marking the 100th anniversary since the start of the Battle of the Somme. July 1, 2016 Getty Images 46/58 The Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Andrew Investec Derby Festival at Epsom in 2016 Rex Features 47/58 Princess Beatrice and Prince Andrew, Duke of York arrive for a service of thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday at St Paul's cathedral on June 10, 2016 Getty Images 48/58 The Royal Family watch the flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour on 9 June 2018 in London Getty Images 49/58 The wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in Windsor in 2018 Jeremy Selwyn 50/58 Britain's Princess Eugenie of York walks up the aisle with her father Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York to marry Jack Brooksbank during their wedding ceremony in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on October 12, 2018 AFP via Getty Images 51/58 Princess Eugenie, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Princess Beatrice attend the wedding of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in 2018 Getty Images 52/58 Prince Andrew, the Duke of York takes part in the Colonel's Review on June 01, 2019 Getty Images 53/58 The Queen with Prince Andrew on ladies day at Ascot 2019 Reuters 54/58 Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attend the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 9 November 2019 AFP via Getty Images 55/58 Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attends the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial at The Cenotaph on 10 November 2019 Getty Images 56/58 Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York, attends a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Bruges on 7 September 2019 AFP/Getty Images 57/58 Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts at Maxwell’s London townhouse in 2001 58/58 Interview with Prince Andrew by Emily Maitlis of BBC's Newsnight in 2019 BBC 1/58 Interview with Prince Andrew by Emily Maitlis of BBC's Newsnight in 2019 BBC 2/58 The Duke of York and Duchess of York kiss on the balcony of Buckinham Palace on the wedding day in 1986 PA 3/58 The Queen, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and their three children Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in 1960 AFP via Getty Images 4/58 The Duchess Of York and Prince Andrew at The Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, For Princess Beatrice's Christening Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images 5/58 Prince Edward, fourth child of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, grips the finger of his brother, four year old Prince Andrew in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace PA 6/58 The Queen, accompanied by Princess Anne, pushes the pram of her younger son, Prince Andrew, during a walk in the grounds at Balmoral PA 7/58 Surrounded by members of the Royal Family, Prince Andrew sits up and takes an interest in the proceedings from the comfort of his pram, in the Balmoral Estate. PA 8/58 Both wearing a kilt, 10 year old Princess Anne and 11 year old Prince Charles, share the task of pulling the pram of baby brother Prince Andrew for a walk in the grounds at Balmoral PA 9/58 the Queen and Prince Andrew, Duke of York, appear on 12 June 1961 on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Trooping the Colour AFP/Getty Images 10/58 Peter Phillips, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Andrew and the Duke of Edinburgh at Balmoral Castle. The Queen and Prince Philip were celebrating 32 years of marriage. PA 11/58 The Queen and Prince Andrew in the grounds of Balmoral, Scotland PA 12/58 The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh with two of their children, Prince Andrew and Prince Edwar, at Balmoral PA 13/58 Prince Andrew watching a polo match at Smith's Lawn in Windsor Great Park in 1967 Popperfoto/Getty Images 14/58 The Queen, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Andrew, Duke of York during the Windsor horse trials in 1968 AFP/Getty Images 15/58 The Queen Mother with Prince Andrew and Edward whilst watching Prince Philip and Prince Charles playing Polo At Windsor Great Park in 1968 Daily Mail 16/58 Informal portrait of Prince Charles playing a game of Bagatelle with his two young brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward at Sandringham in April 1969 Getty Images 17/58 Prince Andrew, Prince Charles and Prince Edward during a family holiday at Balmoral Castle PA 18/58 The Queen with Prince Andrew when he started school at Gordonstoun PA 19/58 The Queen accompanied by the Duke of York, at the Badminton Horse Trials on her 53rd birthday in 1979 PA 20/58 The Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Andrew in 1979 safari in Zambia Daily Mail 21/58 Prince Edward, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew. The Queen and Prince Philip will celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary in 1979 PA 22/58 Prince Andrew bites the stem of a red rose, after stepping ashore at Portsmouth, England on 16 September 1982 AP 23/58 The Duke of York ashore in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands in 1982 PA 24/58 Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in the US, 21st April 1984 Getty Images 25/58 The Duke of York at his official engagement day at Buckingham Palace in 1986 PA 26/58 The Duke of York and Duchess of York on the wedding day in 1986 PA 27/58 The Duke of York and Duchess of York on the wedding day in 1986 PA 28/58 The Duke of York and Duchess of York on the wedding day in 1986 PA 29/58 The Duke of York and Duchess of York on the wedding day in 1986 PA 30/58 Sarah, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew examine a broken polo mallet while walking across Smiths Lawn at Guards Polo Club in Windsor, Berkshire, after a visit to the Royal Ascot Races on June 18, 1986 Getty Images 31/58 The Duke and Duchess of York leaving his 30th Birthday at Annabel's in 1990 Dave Benett 32/58 Prince Andrew and Sarah Duchess of York with new baby daughter Princess Eugenie in 1990 Rex Features 33/58 Prince Andrew on his 38th Birthday with Sarah Ferguson, Duchess Of York and his two Daughters Princess Eugenie and Beatrice in Verbier Daily Mail 34/58 Great Britain's Prince Andrew, tees off the first hole at the Farm Neck Golf Club 27 August 1999 AFP via Getty Images 35/58 US President Bill Clinton (R) and Britian's Prince Andrew (L) head off for a round of golf at the Farm Neck Golf Club 27 August 1999 in Martha's Vineyard. The two made a joking wager for return of the island which was acquired by the US from Great Britian AFP via Getty Images 36/58 Prince Andrew of Britain rides in one of the New Zealand Army's General Dynamics LAV III Light Armoured Vehicles accompanied by Captain Dougal Barker (L) during a visit to Trentham Military Camp in Wellington, 30 September 2005 AFP via Getty Images 37/58 Prince Andrew, Duke of York accepts a challenge from a Maori warrior, part of the Maori welcome, during the Prince's visit to the Trentham Military Camp on the second day of his seven day visit to New Zealand, on March 16, 2007 in Wellington Getty Images 38/58 The Queen ) and Prince Philip are joined at Clarence House in London by Prince Charles, Prince Edward, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew on the occasion of a dinner hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to mark the forthcoming Diamond Wedding Anniversary of The Queen and The Duke on 18 November 2007 AFP via Getty Images 39/58 Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York (R) and his daughter Princess Eugenie (C) visit the debris to dedicate flowers to the deceased of the "Sichuan's May 12 earthquake" on November 4, 2008 in Dujiangyan, one of the worst earthquake-hit area of Sichuan Province, China Getty Images 40/58 Princess Beatrice with her parents, Prince Andrew, the Duke York and Sarah Ferguson following her graduation ceremony at Goldsmiths College in London on 9 September 2011 AFP/Getty Images 41/58 Prince Andrew, Duke of York and his daughters Princess Beatrice (L) and Princess Eugenie (C) wave as they travel along the Processional Route to Buckingham Palace after the Royal Wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London Warren Allott/WPA Pool/Getty Images 42/58 Prince Andrew, Duke of York sits in the royal box at Wimbledon during the 2014 championships Getty Images 43/58 The Queen, Princess Beatrice and Prince Andrew, Duke of York arrive in the Parade Ring they attend Ladies Day on day 3 of Royal Ascot in 2015 Getty Images 44/58 The Duke of York and the Prince of Wales in 2015 PA 45/58 Prince Andrew, Duke of York, attends a commemoration service at Manchester Cathedral marking the 100th anniversary since the start of the Battle of the Somme. July 1, 2016 Getty Images 46/58 The Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Andrew Investec Derby Festival at Epsom in 2016 Rex Features 47/58 Princess Beatrice and Prince Andrew, Duke of York arrive for a service of thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday at St Paul's cathedral on June 10, 2016 Getty Images 48/58 The Royal Family watch the flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour on 9 June 2018 in London Getty Images 49/58 The wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in Windsor in 2018 Jeremy Selwyn 50/58 Britain's Princess Eugenie of York walks up the aisle with her father Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York to marry Jack Brooksbank during their wedding ceremony in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on October 12, 2018 AFP via Getty Images 51/58 Princess Eugenie, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Princess Beatrice attend the wedding of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in 2018 Getty Images 52/58 Prince Andrew, the Duke of York takes part in the Colonel's Review on June 01, 2019 Getty Images 53/58 The Queen with Prince Andrew on ladies day at Ascot 2019 Reuters 54/58 Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attend the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 9 November 2019 AFP via Getty Images 55/58 Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attends the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial at The Cenotaph on 10 November 2019 Getty Images 56/58 Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York, attends a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Bruges on 7 September 2019 AFP/Getty Images 57/58 Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts at Maxwell’s London townhouse in 2001 58/58 Interview with Prince Andrew by Emily Maitlis of BBC's Newsnight in 2019 BBC

Until now, their official roles mean that Andrew, as well as the Sussexes have been classified as internationally protected people.

One issue for the Home Office and police is that members of the royal family could be seen as targets by terror groups. In the past, Andrew was under threat from an IRA kidnapping plot that targeted him and his cousin in 1971 when he was a schoolboy.

The cost of protecting the royal family is not made public but is estimated to be £100 million a year.

It is understood that taxpayers spent more than £250,000 on Andrew’s security teams’ travel expenses when he was promoting Pitch@Palace.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We do not comment on individual security arrangements.”

Listen to more on this episode of The Leader: