King Charles strips honours from five people including ex-Navy chief

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 16:48 · Archive

King Charles has removed the knighthood and other honours from former Royal Navy head Ben Key and four others.

King Charles has stripped honours from five people in October 2026, bringing the total number stripped since his accession to 48, according to the Cabinet Office's published forfeiture register.

Former Royal Navy head Ben Key lost his knighthood and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the latest round. Key was a highly decorated officer who commanded several ships and served in Kosovo and Iraq, and was appointed Fleet Commander in 2016 and Chief of Joint Operations in 2019. He was awarded the CBE in the 2016 New Year Honours and the knighthood in 2021.

Key was dismissed from the Royal Navy in June 2026 after an investigation into his conduct. In May 2026 he had attempted to resign for personal reasons, but his resignation was rejected pending an investigation into a personal relationship with a subordinate. The Ministry of Defence stated that he had fallen 'far short of the values and standards expected'. The BBC reported that Key had breached the military's code of conduct by having an affair with a junior female officer.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said the service 'holds its personnel to the highest standards of conduct'.

How it is being reported

• King Charles strips 5 more people of honours including former Royal Navy officerHis Majesty has now stripped the honours from 48 individuals since coming to the throne, including 5 new ones in October 2026.Bracknell News · 10 Oct, 16:21
• King Charles strips 5 more people of honours including former Royal Navy officerHis Majesty has now stripped the honours from 48 individuals since coming to the throne, including 5 new ones in October 2026.Reading Chronicle · 10 Oct, 16:21

In this story: King Charles · Ben Key · Royal Navy · Ministry of Defence · Cabinet Office

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