Why Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family
In a statement issued by the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is relinquishing his royal titles, including the Duke of York. Below is an overview of what was announced – and what wasn't.
What Did the Prince Announced?
After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “go a step further” and consent not to use the “honor or the awards which have been conferred upon” him.
However, he employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the allegations of misconduct made against him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to settle the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the allegations involving the prince – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to protect the royal family from further damage caused by public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
No. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As stated in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and country first.”
Additionally, although he consented to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as a member of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style title, they essentially become inactive.
He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king should he be overseas or ill. Although the palace has indicated that, realistically, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement said the decision was made “in discussion with the king”. It appears little doubt that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more reputational damage for the royals.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This would only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, implying the goal of quickly addressing the matter – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement signifies 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 rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade Andrew to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been shed on exactly how much funds Andrew has received due to his status, he continues to be a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he was able to raise £15m by selling a home that had been a gift from the queen, for example.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless series of controversies related to the prince has become intolerable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His association with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in an email dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact.
There have also been stories about his connections with a suspected Chinese spy and, recently, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that visit to be marred by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Was the Reaction?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has also said the action is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He should be divested of every honor and his navy rank and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
