Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
In a announcement released via the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be relinquishing his royal titles, such as the Duke of York. Here are the details of what was revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has Andrew Announced?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now decided to “go a step further” and consent to refrain from using the “title or the awards which have been granted to” him.
However, he employed the announcement to make a point of rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected any claims of wrongdoing.
There has been persistent pressure on the monarchy over the allegations against Andrew – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect his relatives from further damage resulting from public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
No. And although this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: initially, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the monarchy. As he said in his announcement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and country first.”
Second, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, as well as the honors his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as a member of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style title, they essentially become dormant.
He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king should he be overseas or ill. However royal officials has made clear that, in practice, he will not be asked to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said this choice was made “following talks with the king”. It appears little doubt that, behind the scenes, the palace pushed for this in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a ducal title would take legislative action, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it could result in further reputational damage for the monarchy.
Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became such as the son of a monarch. This could only be changed if a royal decree was enacted by the king.
The whole process might ultimately being protracted, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the monarchy's interests – may not be met.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Humiliation, likely above all. The statement signifies an effective loss of status he has fought against for years.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, despite rumoured attempts by the king to encourage his brother to move out of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been shed on exactly how much funds the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.
What Prompted This?
The continual list of scandals related to the prince has proved intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines following revelations Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication.
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 claimed Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the king is due to make a historic visit to see the pontiff soon, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that visit to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Has Been the Reaction?
While he said his sister had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be divested of all titles and his military position and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that fits the offences.”
