Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be relinquishing his official honors, including his dukedom. Below is an overview of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Has Andrew Said?
After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now decided to “go a step further” and consent to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been granted to” him.
But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the allegations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit after settling millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the allegations against Andrew – especially since his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect the royal family from additional harm caused by media scrutiny.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Titles?
Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it holds importance in two respects: initially, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”
Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style title, they are effectively inactive.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king should he be overseas or unwell. However royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nevertheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said this choice was made “following talks with the king”. It appears little doubt that, privately, the royal household advocated for the move in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would constitute such a historic move publicly before the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely cause more reputational damage for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This would only be changed if a letters patent was issued by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being protracted, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement represents an effective loss of status he has fought against for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by the king to persuade Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been revealed about the precise amount of money the prince has obtained due to his status, he continues to be 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 involving Andrew has become intolerable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication.
There have also been stories about his association with an alleged Chinese spy and, this week, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is due to make a historic visit to see the pontiff next week, during which he will be the initial British king after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Was the Reaction?
While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that the prince's style should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
