Why Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Monarchy
In a announcement released by Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has confirmed that he will be giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Has the Prince Announced?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has currently decided to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “honor or the honours which have been granted to” him.
However, he used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of misconduct made against him; even though having paid out millions to settle the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the allegations involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to safeguard the royal family from additional harm caused by media scrutiny.
Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Titles?
Not at all. And although this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”
Additionally, although he consented not to use it, Andrew retains the dukedom, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH royal style title, they are effectively inactive.
He remains a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is abroad or unwell. Although the palace has indicated that, in practice, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “in discussion with the monarch”. It appears little doubt that, behind the scenes, the palace pushed for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a ducal title would require an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more harm to the image for the monarchy.
Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This would only be altered if a letters patent was issued by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be met.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of standing 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 persuade Andrew to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about exactly how much funds Andrew has received as a result of his status, he continues to be a person of means. Back in 2007, he was able to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a gift from the queen, as an instance.
What Prompted This?
The continual series of controversies related to the prince has become unacceptable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were reports about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed the prince “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the king is due to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth 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 further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Has Been the Response?
While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be stripped of all titles and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
