Why Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Monarchy
Through a announcement released via the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is relinquishing his royal titles, including the Duke of York. Here is an overview of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has the Prince Announced?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now chosen to “go a step further” and consent not to use the “title or the awards which have been granted to” him.
However, he used the statement to make a point of denying – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though having paid out millions to settle the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has been persistent pressure toward the royal institution regarding the allegations involving the prince – particularly after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to safeguard the royal family from further damage resulting from public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And although this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in support of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”
Additionally, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness title, they essentially become inactive.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king if he is overseas or ill. However royal officials has indicated that, realistically, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “in discussion with the king”. There seems highly likely that, privately, the royal household pushed for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would represent such a historic move in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it could result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This could only be changed if a royal decree was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the goal of swiftly resolving the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Humiliation, likely above all. The statement represents an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to encourage his brother to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about exactly how much money the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he was able to secure £15m by selling a property that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless series of controversies related to the prince has proved intolerable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny following revelations Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in a message sent three months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were reports about his association with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, extracts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that visit to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about his brother.
What Was the Response?
While he said his sister had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “true justice” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has also said the action is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be divested of all titles and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
