The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Royal Titles – and the Implications for the Royal Family
In a announcement issued by Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has declared he is giving up his official honors, such as the Duke of York. Here are the details of what was revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has the Prince Said?
Having already stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has now chosen to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
However, he employed the announcement to make a point of rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of misconduct made against him; even though having paid out millions to settle the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the claims involving the prince – particularly after his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect the royal family from additional harm caused by public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: initially, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in defence of the monarchy. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my family and country first.”
Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the titles his earldom and his barony and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style title, they essentially become dormant.
He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he remains still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is abroad or ill. Although the palace has made clear that, in practice, he would not be asked to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “in discussion with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household pushed for the move in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would take legislative action, and would represent such a historic move in full view of the public – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more reputational damage for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the son of a monarch. This would only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, implying the goal of swiftly resolving the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, despite reported efforts by the king to encourage Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much funds the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a gift from his mother, for example.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless list of scandals related to the prince has become unacceptable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
There have also been stories about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, this week, extracts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled 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 worship openly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Was the Response?
While he said his sister had been “vindicated” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He ought to be divested of every honor and his navy rank and should face a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
