Why Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement issued via the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be relinquishing his royal titles, such as the Duke of York. Below are the details of what was revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has Andrew Announced?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.
However, he used the statement to make a point of rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; albeit having paid out millions to resolve the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has existed 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 he is acting to safeguard the royal family from further damage caused by public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it is significant in two respects: initially, it enables the prince to publicly claim 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 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 prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively dormant.
He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is overseas or unwell. Although royal officials has made clear that, realistically, he will not be asked to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “in discussion with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, privately, the royal household advocated for this in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a ducal title would require legislative action, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it could cause more reputational damage for the royals.
Andrew is also still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically such as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a letters patent was issued by the king.
The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, despite rumoured attempts by the king to persuade his brother to relocate of the 30-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
While little light has been revealed about exactly how much funds the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from the queen, for example.
What Prompted This?
The continual list of scandals involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were stories about his association with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, excerpts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the first English monarch since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Has Been the Response?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He should be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should face a criminal investigation. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a penalty that fits the offences.”
