The Reasons Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy
Through a statement released by the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is giving up his royal titles, including his dukedom. Here is an overview of what was revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Has the Prince Said?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “take additional measures” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also employed the announcement to make a point of denying – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and strongly rejected any claims of wrongdoing.
There has existed ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the allegations involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to safeguard the royal family from further damage resulting from media scrutiny.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Titles?
No. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my family and the nation first.”
Additionally, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the honors his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style title, they are effectively inactive.
He remains royalty and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he remains still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the sovereign if he is overseas or unwell. Although the palace has indicated that, in practice, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, privately, the royal household advocated for the move in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a ducal title would take an act of parliament, and would constitute an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
The prince remains a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he became such as the child of the sovereign. This could only be altered if a royal decree was issued by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be met.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an substantial reduction of standing he has fought against for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, despite reported efforts by his brother to persuade Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about exactly how much funds the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he continues to be a person of means. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a property that had been a gift from his mother, for example.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication.
There have also been reports about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, excerpts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff next week, when he will become the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that visit to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Was the Response?
While he said his sister had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved.
The republican campaign group Republic has also said the move is “too little, too late”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He should be stripped of all titles and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
