The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family
Through a statement released via the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is giving up his official honors, including the Duke of York. Below is an overview of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has Andrew Announced?
After previously withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has now chosen to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him.
But he also employed the announcement to make a point of denying – as he has always done – the allegations of misconduct leveled at him; even though after settling millions to settle the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the allegations against Andrew – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect the royal family from further damage resulting from public speculation.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Titles?
Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: initially, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, 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 titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Similar to the royal style honorific, they are effectively dormant.
He remains royalty 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 abroad or unwell. However the palace has made clear that, in practice, he would not be asked to perform these duties.
Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement said this choice was made “in discussion with the king”. It appears little doubt that, privately, the royal household pushed for the move in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it would likely result in further reputational damage for the monarchy.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he became such as the child of the sovereign. This could only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the objective of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, despite reported efforts by the king to persuade Andrew to move out of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been revealed about the precise amount of money Andrew has received due to his position, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, as an instance.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless series of controversies related to the prince has become unacceptable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines following revelations Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were reports about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed the prince “believed that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by more negative headlines about his brother.
What Has Been the Reaction?
While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed the Times that the prince's style ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He ought to be stripped of every honor and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
