The Reasons Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy
In a announcement issued by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has declared that he will be giving up his royal titles, including his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Did the Prince Announced?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “take additional measures” and consent to refrain from using the “title or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
However, he employed the announcement to emphatically denying – as he has always done – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though having paid out a substantial sum to settle the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the claims involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect his relatives from additional harm caused by public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
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 acted honourably in defence of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and the nation first.”
Additionally, although he consented to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the titles the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they essentially become dormant.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king if he is abroad or ill. However royal officials has made clear that, in practice, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the king”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household 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 dukedom would require legislative action, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely result in further harm to the image for the royals.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This would only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The whole process could end up being drawn-out, meaning the objective of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The statement signifies an substantial reduction of standing he has resisted for years.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by the king to encourage his brother to relocate of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been shed on the precise amount of funds Andrew has received as a result of his status, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.
What Prompted This?
The continual series of controversies related to the prince has proved intolerable for the king and other senior royals.
His association with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines following revelations Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in a message sent three months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were stories about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed the prince “thought that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Moreover, the king is due to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the initial British king since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about his brother.
What Has Been the Response?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a legal probe. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
