The Reasons Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family
In a announcement released by the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is giving up his royal titles, including his dukedom. Here are the details of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Did Andrew Announced?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “go a step further” and consent not to use the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him.
But he also used the statement to emphatically denying – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit after settling a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement 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 allegations involving the prince – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect his relatives from further damage resulting from public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
No. And although this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”
Additionally, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, along with the titles the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the prestigious order. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively inactive.
He remains royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king if he is abroad or unwell. Although royal officials has made clear that, realistically, he would not be asked to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “following talks with the king”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household pushed for the move in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more harm to the image for the royals.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the king.
The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The statement signifies an substantial reduction of standing he has fought against for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to encourage Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been shed on the precise amount of money the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he continues to be a person of means. Back in 2007, he was able to raise £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 become unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His friendship with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny following revelations Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
There have also been reports about his association with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the king is due to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the initial British king since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Was the Response?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has additionally stated the action is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be divested of all titles and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that fits the offences.”
