The Reasons the Duke of York Has Surrendered His Official Titles – and the Implications for the Monarchy
In a statement released via Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has declared he is relinquishing his official honors, including his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Did the Prince Said?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now decided to “go a step further” and agree not to use the “honor or the honours which have been granted to” him.
But he also employed the announcement to make a point of rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit after settling a substantial sum to settle the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct.
There has existed persistent pressure on the monarchy over the allegations involving the prince – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect the royal family from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And although this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in support of the monarchy. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and country first.”
Second, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively dormant.
He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he remains still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the king should he be overseas or unwell. However the palace has indicated that, in practice, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “in discussion with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, behind the scenes, the palace advocated for the move in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a dukedom would require legislative action, and would constitute an unprecedented step publicly before the public – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more reputational damage for the royals.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This would only be changed if a royal decree was issued by the king.
The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the monarchy's interests – may not be met.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an effective loss of status he has fought against for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, despite rumoured attempts by the king to persuade his brother to relocate of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much money the prince has obtained due to his position, he remains a wealthy individual. Back 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.
Why Now?
The continual list of scandals related to the prince 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 are in this together” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact.
There have also been reports about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed the prince “thought that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Was the Response?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “true justice” to be done.
The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be stripped of all titles and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
