Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be relinquishing his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been announced – and what remains unchanged.
What Has Andrew Said?
Having already stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “go a step further” and agree not to use the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also employed the announcement to emphatically denying – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; even though having paid out millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and strongly rejected any claims of wrongdoing.
There has existed ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution over the claims against Andrew – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to safeguard the royal family from further damage resulting from public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles?
Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the monarchy. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.”
Second, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, as well as the titles his earldom and his barony and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style honorific, they essentially become inactive.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he remains still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the king should he be abroad or unwell. However the palace has indicated 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 “following talks with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for the move in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a ducal title would require an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before the nation – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it could result in further reputational damage for the royals.
The prince remains a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically such as the son of a monarch. This could only be changed if a royal decree was issued by the reigning monarch.
The whole process could end up being protracted, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to encourage Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been shed on the precise amount of funds the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he was able to raise £15m by selling a property that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.
Why Now?
The continual series of controversies involving Andrew has become unacceptable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were stories about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, this week, extracts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged the prince “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the king is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff next week, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Was the Response?
While he said his sister had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that fits the offences.”
