The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement issued via the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is giving up his official honors, such as the Duke of York. Here is an overview of what has been announced – and what remains unchanged.
What Did the Prince Said?
Having already stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has now decided to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him.
But he also employed the announcement to emphatically denying – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; even though having paid out a substantial sum to settle the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and strongly rejected any claims of improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the allegations involving the prince – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to protect his relatives from further damage caused by public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
No. And although this might be viewed as a mere formality, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in defence of the monarchy. As stated in his announcement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and country first.”
Additionally, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, they essentially become dormant.
He remains a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king should he be abroad or ill. Although the palace has indicated that, in practice, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nevertheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “following talks with the king”. There seems highly likely that, behind the scenes, the palace advocated for the move in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would constitute an unprecedented step publicly before the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more reputational damage for the royals.
The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This would only be altered if a royal decree was issued by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be met.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an effective loss of status he has resisted for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, despite reported efforts by the king to persuade Andrew to move out of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been revealed about the precise amount of funds the prince has obtained due to his status, he remains a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from the queen, as an instance.
Why Now?
The continual list of scandals related to the prince has proved intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines following revelations that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in a message dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were reports about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff next week, during which he will be the initial British king after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Has Been the Reaction?
While he said his sister had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has also said the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be divested of every honor and his navy rank and should face a criminal investigation. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that fits the offences.”
