Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement released by the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be relinquishing his official honors, including the Duke of York. Below is an overview of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Did Andrew Said?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has currently decided to “take additional measures” and agree to refrain from using the “title or the awards which have been granted to” him.
But he also employed the announcement to make a point of rejecting – as he has always done – the allegations of misconduct made against him; albeit having paid out millions to settle the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has existed persistent pressure on the monarchy over the claims involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect his relatives from further damage caused by media scrutiny.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And although this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in multiple ways: initially, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the monarchy. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, along with the titles the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style title, they are effectively dormant.
He remains 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 ill. Although the palace has indicated that, realistically, he would not be asked to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, privately, the palace pushed for this in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would take legislative action, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it would likely 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 could only be altered if a royal decree was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the objective of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the monarchy's interests – may not be achieved.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The announcement signifies an effective loss of status he has fought against for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade his brother to move out of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been shed on exactly how much money Andrew has received as a result of his status, he remains a wealthy individual. In 2007, he was able to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.
Why Now?
The continual series of controversies involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were stories about his association with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the initial British king after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be marred by more negative headlines about his brother.
What Was the Reaction?
While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “true justice” to be achieved.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the action is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be stripped of all titles and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
