The Reasons the Duke of York is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Monarchy
In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has declared he is relinquishing his official honors, including the Duke of York. Here is an overview of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Has Andrew Said?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “title or the awards which have been granted to” him.
But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of sexual impropriety made against him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has been persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the claims against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect his relatives 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 multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in defence of the monarchy. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.”
Second, while he has agreed not to use it, Andrew retains his ducal title, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style title, they are effectively inactive.
He remains a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the sovereign should he be abroad or unwell. However royal officials has made clear that, realistically, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears little doubt that, privately, the palace advocated for the move in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a ducal title would take an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more reputational damage for the royals.
The prince remains a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he became such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be altered if a royal decree was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The whole process might ultimately being protracted, implying the objective of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be met.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement represents an effective loss of standing he has fought against for years.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding reported efforts by his brother to encourage his brother to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been revealed about the precise amount of money Andrew has received as a result of his status, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a property that had been a gift from his mother, as an instance.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
There have also been stories about his association with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, extracts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.
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 worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by more negative headlines about his brother.
What Was the Reaction?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “true justice” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He ought to be divested of all titles and his military position and should face a criminal investigation. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”