Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement issued by the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is relinquishing his royal titles, such as the Duke of York. Here is an overview of what was revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Did Andrew Said?
Having already stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “go a step further” and consent to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.
However, he employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to settle the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of wrongdoing.
There has existed ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the allegations involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to safeguard his relatives from further damage caused by public speculation.
Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Honors?
No. And although this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: first, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As stated in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”
Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, Andrew retains 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. Like the HRH His Royal Highness title, they are effectively inactive.
He continues to be royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king should he be abroad or unwell. However royal officials has made clear that, in practice, he will not be asked to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, behind the scenes, the royal household pushed for the move in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a dukedom would take legislative action, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it could result in further reputational damage for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically such as the son of a monarch. This could only be changed if a letters patent was issued by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being protracted, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications 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, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by his brother to encourage Andrew to move out of the 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about the precise amount of funds Andrew has received due to his position, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a property that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance.
Why Now?
The continual series of controversies related to the prince has proved unacceptable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines following revelations that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in a message sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication.
There have also been reports about his association with a suspected intelligence operative and, this week, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged the prince “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is due to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Has Been the Reaction?
While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.
The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, noting: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be stripped of all titles and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
