The Reasons the Duke of York Has Surrendered His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a statement released via the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed that he will be relinquishing his royal titles, including the Duke of York. Below is an overview of what has been announced – and what wasn't.
What Has Andrew Said?
After previously withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now decided to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also used the statement to make a point of rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety 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 firmly denied any claims of improper conduct.
There has been persistent pressure toward the royal institution over the claims involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect his relatives from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Has the King Removed Him of His Titles?
No. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it enables the prince to openly state to have acted honourably in support of the monarchy. 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 to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious Garter role as a member of the prestigious order. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively dormant.
He remains a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king if he is overseas or unwell. However the palace has indicated that, in practice, he will not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the royal household advocated for the move in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a ducal title would take an act of parliament, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of 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.
The prince remains a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This could only be changed if a royal decree was enacted by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being protracted, implying the objective of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The announcement represents an effective loss of status he has resisted for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to persuade his brother to relocate of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been shed on the precise amount of money the prince has obtained due to his position, he continues to be a person of means. In 2007, he was able to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, as an instance.
Why Now?
The continual list of scandals involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His friendship with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines following revelations Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were reports about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, this week, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed the prince “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the first English monarch since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Has Been the Response?
While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “true justice” to be achieved.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences 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 punishment that fits the offences.”
