Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Official Titles – and the Implications for the Royal Family
In a statement released via the royal household, Prince Andrew has declared he is relinquishing his royal titles, including the Duke of York. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Has the Prince Said?
After previously withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “take additional measures” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards 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 made against him; albeit after settling millions to settle the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected any claims of improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the allegations against Andrew – particularly after his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to safeguard the royal family from further damage caused by public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in support of the monarchy. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the titles the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, they essentially become dormant.
He remains 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 king if he is overseas or unwell. Although royal officials has made clear that, in practice, he will not be asked to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said this choice was made “in discussion with the king”. There seems highly likely that, behind the scenes, the palace advocated for the move in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would represent such a historic move in full view of the public – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it could result in further harm to the image for the royals.
Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be achieved.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Humiliation, likely above all. The statement represents an effective loss of standing he has fought against for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by his brother to encourage Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been shed on the precise amount of money the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he remains a wealthy individual. In 2007, he was able to raise £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 involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His association with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines following revelations that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were reports about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, during which he will be the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that visit to be marred by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Has Been the Response?
While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “true justice” to be achieved.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He should be stripped of every honor and his military position and should face a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
