The Reasons the Duke of York Has Surrendered His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy
In a announcement released via Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Here are the details of what was announced – and what remains unchanged.
What Has Andrew Said?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now decided to “go a step further” and agree not to use the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.
However, he employed the announcement to make a point of rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of misconduct leveled at him; even though after settling millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected any claims of wrongdoing.
There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the claims against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to safeguard his relatives from further damage caused by media scrutiny.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles?
No. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in support of the monarchy. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.”
Second, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, as well as the titles the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Similar to the His Royal Highness title, they essentially become dormant.
He remains royalty and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is overseas or ill. However royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he will not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nevertheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, behind the scenes, the palace advocated for the move in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a ducal title would require legislative action, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it could result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the king.
The whole process might ultimately being protracted, implying the goal of quickly addressing the matter – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Humiliation, 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, still live in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding 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 shed on exactly how much money the prince has obtained due to his status, he continues to be a person of means. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a gift from his mother, for example.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has become intolerable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication.
There have also been stories about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, this week, extracts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the king is due to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, during which he will be the initial British king after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that visit to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Was the Reaction?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican 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 should be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a legal probe. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
