The Reasons the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a statement released via the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed he is giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Below is an overview of what was revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Has the Prince Said?
After previously withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has now chosen to “go a step further” and consent not to use the “honor or the honours which have been granted to” him.
But he also employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct.
There has existed persistent pressure toward the royal institution regarding the allegations involving the prince – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect the royal family from further damage caused by media scrutiny.
Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And although this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “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 his ducal title, as well as the honors his earldom and his barony and the prestigious position as a member of the prestigious order. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively inactive.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he remains still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the king should he be abroad or unwell. Although royal officials has made clear that, realistically, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated the decision was made “in discussion with the king”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the palace pushed for the move in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely cause more harm to the image for the royals.
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 letters patent was issued by the reigning monarch.
The whole process might ultimately being protracted, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be met.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of standing he has fought against for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade Andrew to move out of the 30-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been shed on exactly how much money the prince has obtained due to his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he was able to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, for example.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny following revelations Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in a message dispatched months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were reports about his association with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged the prince “believed that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the king is scheduled 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 pray publicly 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?
While he said his sister had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.
The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He ought to be divested of all titles and his navy rank and should face a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
