Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement issued by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has declared that he will be giving up his royal titles, such as the Duke of York. Below is an overview of what was revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Has the Prince Announced?
After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now chosen to “take additional measures” and consent 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 denying – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; albeit after settling millions to resolve the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the claims involving the prince – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to safeguard the royal family from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”
Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious Garter role as a member of the prestigious order. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively inactive.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king should he be overseas or unwell. Although the palace has made clear that, realistically, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement said this choice was made “in discussion with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the royal household advocated for this in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
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 reputational damage for the monarchy.
Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth 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 reigning monarch.
The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to persuade Andrew to move out of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much funds Andrew has received due to his position, he continues to be a person of means. In 2007, he was able to raise £15m from the sale of a property that had been a gift from the queen, for example.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless series of controversies related to the prince has become unacceptable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines following revelations Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were stories about his association with an alleged Chinese spy and, this week, extracts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed the prince “believed that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is due to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo next week, during which he will be the initial British king since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that trip to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Has Been the Response?
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 done.
The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He ought to be stripped of all titles and his military position and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
