The Reasons the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Monarchy
Through a announcement issued by the royal household, Prince Andrew has declared that he will be relinquishing his royal titles, including his dukedom. Here are the details of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Did Andrew Said?
After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now decided to “take additional measures” and agree 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 accusations of misconduct made against him; even though after settling a substantial sum to settle the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution over the allegations against Andrew – particularly after 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 caused by media scrutiny.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles?
Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it is significant in two respects: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and country first.”
Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, Andrew retains his ducal title, as well as the titles the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style title, they essentially become dormant.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king if he is abroad or ill. Although the palace has made clear that, in practice, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “in discussion with the king”. There seems little doubt that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for this in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a ducal title would require legislative action, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more reputational damage for the monarchy.
The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the son of a monarch. This could only be changed if a royal decree was issued by the king.
The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement signifies an effective loss of standing he has fought against for years.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding reported efforts by his brother to encourage Andrew 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 as a result of his status, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a gift from his mother, as an instance.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in an email dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were stories about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, excerpts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Was the Response?
While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the action is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He should be divested of all titles and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
