The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family
In a announcement released via the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is giving up his royal titles, including his dukedom. Here are the details of what was revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Did Andrew Announced?
After previously withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently chosen to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him.
However, he employed the announcement to make a point of denying – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though after settling a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the allegations against Andrew – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect the royal family from further damage resulting from public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, while he has agreed not to use it, Andrew retains his ducal title, along with the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the prestigious order. Similar to the royal style honorific, they essentially become dormant.
He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king should he be overseas or ill. Although royal officials has indicated that, realistically, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “in discussion with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for this in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a ducal title would take legislative action, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely result in further reputational damage for the royals.
The prince remains a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This would only be altered if a letters patent was issued by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being protracted, implying the goal of quickly addressing the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an effective loss of standing he has resisted for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to encourage Andrew to relocate of the 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been shed on exactly how much funds Andrew has received due to his position, he remains a person of means. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a home that had been a gift from his mother, as an instance.
Why Now?
The continual list of scandals related to the prince has become unacceptable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny following revelations Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were reports about his association with a suspected intelligence operative and, this week, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Moreover, the sovereign is due to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo soon, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church 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 Reaction?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual offences and abuse of office. He ought to be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should face a legal probe. Not using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
