Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a statement released via the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed he is relinquishing his royal titles, including his dukedom. Here are the details of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Did the Prince Announced?
After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “title or the awards which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also employed the announcement to emphatically denying – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; even though having paid out a substantial sum to settle 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 existed ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the claims involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to safeguard his relatives from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And although this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and country first.”
Second, although he consented to abstain from using it, the prince keeps the dukedom, along with the honors his earldom and his barony and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH royal style honorific, they essentially become dormant.
He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the sovereign should he be abroad or ill. Although royal officials 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 “following talks with the king”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the royal household advocated for this in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would require legislative action, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more harm to the image for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically such as the child of the sovereign. This could only be altered if a letters patent was issued by the reigning monarch.
The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the goal of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be achieved.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The announcement represents an effective loss of status he has fought against for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
While little light has been revealed about the precise amount of money the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he was able to raise £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, as an instance.
Why Now?
The continual list of scandals related to the prince has become unacceptable for the king and other senior royals.
His friendship with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines following revelations Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
There have also been reports about his association with a suspected Chinese spy and, this week, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the king is due to undertake a significant trip 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 pray publicly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that trip to be marred by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Was the Reaction?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper 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 “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be divested of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Not using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
