The Reasons the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family
Through a statement released by the royal household, Prince Andrew has declared that he will be giving up his official honors, including his dukedom. Below are the details of what was announced – and what remains unchanged.
What Has the Prince Announced?
Having already withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “take additional measures” and consent to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.
But he also employed the announcement to emphatically denying – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct.
There has been persistent pressure toward the royal institution over the allegations against Andrew – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to protect the royal family from additional harm resulting from public speculation.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Titles?
Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: initially, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As stated in his announcement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my family and country first.”
Second, although he consented to abstain from using it, Andrew retains his ducal title, along with the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively dormant.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king should he be abroad or unwell. However the palace has indicated that, in practice, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the king”. There seems highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for this in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it could cause more harm to the image for the monarchy.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This could only be changed if a royal decree was issued by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, implying the goal of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be achieved.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of standing he has fought against for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by his brother to encourage 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 managed to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance.
Why Now?
The continual list of scandals related to the prince has proved intolerable for the king and other senior royals.
His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in a message sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were reports about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative 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 “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Moreover, the king is due to make a historic visit to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the initial British king after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that trip to be marred by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Has Been the Response?
While he said Giuffre 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 achieved.
The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be stripped of all titles and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
