Why the Duke of York is Giving Up His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement issued via the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed that he will be giving up his official honors, including his dukedom. Here is an overview of what was revealed – and what wasn't.
What Did the Prince Said?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “title or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also used the statement to make a point of denying – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of sexual impropriety made against him; albeit having paid out millions to resolve the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of improper conduct.
There has existed ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution over the allegations against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect his relatives from further damage caused by public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
No. And although this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it is significant in two respects: first, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have acted honourably in support of the crown. As stated in his statement: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and country first.”
Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the titles the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness title, they essentially become dormant.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the sovereign should he be abroad or unwell. Although royal officials has made clear that, in practice, he would not be asked to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement said the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, privately, the royal household pushed for the move in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a ducal title would require an act of parliament, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more harm to the image for the monarchy.
Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be altered if a royal decree was enacted by the king.
The whole process could end up being protracted, implying the objective of quickly addressing the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for years.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by his brother to encourage his brother to relocate of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been shed on exactly how much money the prince has obtained due to his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a property that had been a gift from his mother, as an instance.
Why Now?
The continual series of controversies related to the prince has become intolerable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in a message dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication.
There have also been reports about his association with a suspected Chinese spy and, this week, extracts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed the prince “thought that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Moreover, the sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Was the Response?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, noting: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He should be divested of all titles and his military position and should face a legal probe. Not using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
