The Reasons the Duke of York is Giving Up His Royal Titles – and What It Means for the Monarchy
In a announcement released by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has declared that he will be giving up his official honors, including his dukedom. Below is an overview of what was revealed – and what wasn't.
What Did the Prince Announced?
After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now decided to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
However, he used the statement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of misconduct made against him; even though having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct.
There has existed persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the claims against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to safeguard the royal family from additional harm caused by public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles?
No. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it holds importance in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the monarchy. As stated in his statement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”
Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, Andrew retains the dukedom, along with the honors his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they essentially become dormant.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king should he be overseas or ill. However the palace has made clear that, in practice, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “in discussion with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, privately, the palace advocated for this in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a ducal title would take legislative action, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it could cause more harm to the image for the royals.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This would only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the king.
The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, implying the objective of quickly addressing the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be met.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement signifies an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, despite reported efforts by the king to encourage Andrew to relocate of the 30-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
While little light has been revealed about exactly how much money the prince has obtained due to his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a home that had been a gift from his mother, as an instance.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has become unacceptable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in a message dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were reports about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Moreover, the king is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Was the Reaction?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the action is “too little, too late”, noting: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He ought to be divested of all titles and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Not using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
