The Reasons the Duke of York is Giving Up His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Monarchy
Through a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is giving up his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Below are the details of what was announced – and what remains unchanged.
What Has Andrew Announced?
After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has now chosen to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; albeit after settling millions 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 toward the royal institution regarding the claims against Andrew – particularly after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to safeguard his relatives from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
No. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: initially, it enables the prince to openly state to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and country first.”
Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, Andrew retains the dukedom, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively dormant.
He remains royalty 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 abroad or unwell. However the palace has indicated that, realistically, he will not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nevertheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement indicated the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, privately, the royal household pushed for this in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a ducal title would take legislative action, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This could only be altered if a royal decree was enacted by the king.
The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The announcement signifies an effective loss of status he has fought against for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, despite reported efforts by his brother to encourage his brother to relocate of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about the precise amount of money Andrew has received due to his status, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he was able to raise £15m by selling a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, for example.
What Prompted This?
The continual list of scandals involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the king and other senior royals.
His friendship 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 sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were reports about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the king is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff next week, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by more negative headlines about his brother.
What Has Been the Reaction?
While he said his sister had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved.
The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He should be divested of every honor and his military position and should face a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
