The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Royal Titles – and the Implications for the Monarchy
Through a announcement released by the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be giving up his official honors, including his dukedom. Here are the details of what has been announced – and what wasn't.
What Did Andrew Said?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though after settling millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct.
There has been persistent pressure on the monarchy over the claims against Andrew – particularly after his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect the royal family from additional harm caused by public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles?
Not at all. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: first, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented to abstain from using it, Andrew retains his ducal title, as well as the titles the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Similar to the His Royal Highness title, they are effectively inactive.
He remains royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign should he be abroad or ill. Although royal officials has made clear that, realistically, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement indicated the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the royal household pushed for this in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could result in further reputational damage for the royals.
The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically as the child of the sovereign. This could only be altered if a royal decree was enacted by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, implying the goal of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The announcement signifies an effective loss of status he has fought against for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade Andrew to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
While little light has been revealed about exactly how much money Andrew has received as a result of his position, he remains a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless series of controversies related to the prince has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines following revelations Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
There have also been reports about his association with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Was the Reaction?
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 ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be stripped of every honor and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
