Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy
In a statement issued via Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has declared he is giving up his royal titles, including the Duke of York. Below is an overview of what was revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has the Prince Announced?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now decided to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “honor or the awards which have been conferred upon” him.
However, he employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit after settling millions to settle the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of wrongdoing.
There has been persistent pressure toward the royal institution regarding the claims involving the prince – particularly after his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect the royal family from additional harm resulting from public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in defence of the monarchy. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness title, they essentially become dormant.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the sovereign if he is abroad or ill. Although royal officials has made clear that, realistically, he would not be asked to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “in discussion with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for this in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would take legislative action, and would constitute an unprecedented step publicly before 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 child of the sovereign. This could only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the king.
The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, implying the goal of quickly addressing the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an effective loss of status he has resisted for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by the king to encourage his brother to relocate of the 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about exactly how much money the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless list of scandals related to the prince has become unacceptable for the king and other senior royals.
His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines following revelations that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication.
There have also been reports about his association with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, extracts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged Andrew “thought 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 initial British king since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Was the Reaction?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has also said the action is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He should be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
