The Reasons the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family
In a announcement released by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has declared that he will be giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Below is an overview of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Did Andrew Announced?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “go a step further” and agree not to use the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him.
However, he employed the announcement to make a point of rejecting – as he has always done – the allegations of sexual impropriety made against him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has existed persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the claims against Andrew – especially since his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to protect the royal family from further damage caused by public speculation.
Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Honors?
No. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it holds importance in two respects: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As stated in his statement: “I have decided, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my family and the nation first.”
Additionally, although he consented to abstain from using it, the prince keeps the dukedom, along with the titles his earldom and his barony and the esteemed position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, they essentially become inactive.
He remains a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the sovereign should he be abroad or ill. However the palace has indicated that, in practice, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement indicated the decision was made “in discussion with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the royal household pushed for the move 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 an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could result in further harm to the image for the royals.
The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This would only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the objective of quickly addressing the matter – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The statement signifies an effective loss of status he has resisted for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by the king to persuade Andrew to move out of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been shed on exactly how much funds the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he was able to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from the queen, as an instance.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless series of controversies related to the prince has proved intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we are in this together” 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 took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is due to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, during which he will be the initial British king since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that trip to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Was the Reaction?
While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times 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 action is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He ought to be stripped of all titles and his military position and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
