Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Monarchy
In a statement released via the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is relinquishing his royal titles, such as the Duke of York. Here is an overview of what was announced – and what wasn't.
What Did the Prince Said?
After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “honor or the awards which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the allegations against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to safeguard the royal family from further damage resulting from public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Titles?
No. And although this might be viewed as a mere formality, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, Andrew retains the dukedom, along with the honors his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style title, they essentially become inactive.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king should he be overseas or ill. However royal officials has indicated that, realistically, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated the decision was made “following talks with the king”. There seems little doubt that, privately, the palace advocated for the move in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a ducal title would require an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he became such as the child of the sovereign. This could only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The whole process could end up being drawn-out, implying the goal of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of standing he has fought against for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, despite rumoured attempts by the king to encourage his brother to relocate of the 30-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
While little light has been shed on exactly how much money the prince has obtained due to his status, he continues to be a person of means. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a home that had been a gift from the queen, for example.
Why Now?
The continual series of controversies involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His friendship with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
There have also been reports about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the king is due to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Has Been the Response?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has also said the action is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be divested of every honor and his military position and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a penalty that fits the offences.”
