Why the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy
Through a announcement released via the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed that he will be giving up his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Here is an overview of what was announced – and what wasn't.
What Has the Prince Announced?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “title or the awards which have been granted to” him.
However, he used the statement to emphatically denying – as he has always done – the allegations of sexual impropriety made against him; albeit having paid out millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct.
There has existed persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the allegations involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to safeguard the royal family from additional harm resulting from public speculation.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Honors?
No. And, while this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my family and country first.”
Additionally, although he consented to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, as well as the titles the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness title, they are effectively dormant.
He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the sovereign if he is abroad or ill. Although the palace has indicated that, realistically, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, behind the scenes, the palace advocated for this in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a ducal title would require legislative action, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the nation – it has not occurred to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more reputational damage for the royals.
Andrew is also still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically such as the child of the sovereign. This could only be altered if a letters patent was issued by the king.
The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the goal of swiftly resolving the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for years.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by the king to encourage his brother to relocate of the 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about exactly how much money Andrew has received as a result of his status, he remains a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance.
Why Now?
The continual list of scandals involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the king and other senior royals.
His association with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
There have also been reports about his association with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged Andrew “thought that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the king is due to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo soon, during which he will be the initial British king since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Has Been the Reaction?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the action is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He should be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a legal probe. Not using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
