The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Royal Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement issued via Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be relinquishing his official honors, including his dukedom. Here are the details of what was announced – and what remains unchanged.
What Has the Prince Said?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “title or the awards which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of sexual impropriety made against him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to settle the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected any claims of improper conduct.
There has been persistent pressure on the monarchy over the claims against Andrew – especially since his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to safeguard his relatives from further damage resulting from public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: initially, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the prestigious order. Similar to the royal style honorific, they essentially become dormant.
He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign should he be overseas or ill. However royal officials has indicated that, realistically, he will not be asked to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “in discussion with the king”. It appears little doubt that, privately, the palace 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 take legislative action, and would constitute such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more harm to the image for the monarchy.
The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically as the child of the sovereign. This would only be altered if a royal decree was issued by the reigning monarch.
The whole process could end up being protracted, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The announcement signifies an effective loss of status he has resisted for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, despite reported efforts by his brother to encourage Andrew to move out of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about the precise amount of funds Andrew has received due to his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a home that had been a gift from the queen, as an instance.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless series of controversies 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 under scrutiny 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.
Additionally, there were stories about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Has Been the Response?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be divested of all titles and his navy rank and should undergo a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
