The Reasons the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Royal Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is giving up his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Below are the details of what was revealed – and what wasn't.
What Did Andrew Announced?
After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “go a step further” and agree not to use the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also employed the announcement to make a point of rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit after settling a substantial sum to settle the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected any claims of wrongdoing.
There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution over the claims against Andrew – particularly after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect the royal family from further damage resulting from media scrutiny.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
No. And although this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and country first.”
Second, although he consented not to use it, Andrew retains his ducal title, as well as the titles his earldom and his barony and the prestigious Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH 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 can stand in for the sovereign if he is overseas or ill. Although the palace has made clear that, in practice, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “in discussion with the king”. It appears little doubt that, privately, the palace pushed for this in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a dukedom would take legislative action, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could result in further reputational damage for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically as the child of the sovereign. This could only be altered if a royal decree was issued by the king.
The whole process could end up being protracted, meaning the objective of quickly addressing the matter – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be achieved.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an effective loss of standing he has resisted for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by the king to persuade his brother to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
While little light has been shed on exactly how much funds Andrew has received as a result of his status, he remains a person of means. In 2007, he was able to secure £15m by selling a property that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless series of controversies related to the prince has proved intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to 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 an alleged Chinese spy and, this week, extracts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Moreover, the sovereign is scheduled to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo next week, during which he will be the initial British king since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the pope 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 Reaction?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He should be stripped of every honor and his military position and should face a criminal investigation. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
