Why the Duke of York is Giving Up His Royal Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has confirmed he is giving up his official honors, including his dukedom. Below are the details of what was announced – and what wasn't.
What Has the Prince Announced?
After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has currently decided to “take additional measures” and consent not to use 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 accusations 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 accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of improper conduct.
There has been persistent pressure on the monarchy over the allegations against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to safeguard the royal family from further damage caused by media scrutiny.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
No. And although this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it is significant in two respects: initially, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and country first.”
Second, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the titles the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH royal style title, they essentially become dormant.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king should he be abroad or unwell. However the palace has made clear that, realistically, he would not be asked to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “in discussion with the king”. There seems highly likely that, behind the scenes, the palace pushed for the move in the aim 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 such a historic move in full view of the public – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it could result in further reputational damage for the royals.
Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became such as the son of a monarch. This would only be changed if a letters patent was issued by the king.
The whole process could end up being drawn-out, meaning the goal of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an effective loss of status he has fought against for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding reported efforts by his brother to persuade his brother to relocate of the thirty-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much money Andrew has received due to his position, he continues to be a person of means. In 2007, he was able to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, for example.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless series of controversies related to the prince has become unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His friendship with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny following revelations 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 a suspected Chinese spy and, this week, extracts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed the prince “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is due to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, when he will become the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that visit to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about his brother.
What Was the Response?
While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.
The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and misuse of position. He ought to be divested of every honor and his military position and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
