Why Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a statement released via the royal household, the king's brother has declared that he will be relinquishing his royal titles, including the Duke of York. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Did Andrew Said?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now decided to “take additional measures” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.
However, he used the statement to make a point of denying – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of misconduct made against him; even though having paid out millions to settle the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has been persistent pressure toward the royal institution over the allegations involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect the royal family from further damage caused by media scrutiny.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And although this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the monarchy. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented to abstain from using it, Andrew retains the dukedom, along with the titles the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed position as a member of the prestigious order. Similar to the royal style title, they essentially become inactive.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, 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 made clear that, in practice, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “in discussion with the king”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household pushed for this in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a ducal title would take legislative action, and would constitute such a historic move publicly before the nation – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely cause more harm to the image for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the king.
The whole process might ultimately being protracted, implying the goal of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement represents an effective loss of standing he has fought against for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by his brother to persuade his brother to relocate of the 30-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
While little light has been shed on exactly how much money Andrew has received as a result of his status, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he was able to raise £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance.
Why Now?
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 sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in a message sent three months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
There have also been reports about his connections with a suspected intelligence operative and, this week, extracts appeared 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”.
Furthermore, the king is due to make a historic visit to see the pontiff next week, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father 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 “vindicated” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, noting: “Andrew remains accused of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should face a criminal investigation. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
