The Reasons the Duke of York is Giving Up His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Monarchy
In a announcement issued via Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has declared he is giving up his official honors, including his dukedom. Below is an overview of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has the Prince Said?
Having already stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has currently decided to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.
But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the allegations of misconduct made against him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to settle the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and strongly rejected all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has existed persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the claims involving the prince – especially since his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect the royal family from additional harm resulting from public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Titles?
No. And, while this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: initially, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As stated in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my family and the nation first.”
Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively inactive.
He remains a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he remains still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is overseas or unwell. However royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household pushed for this in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a ducal title would require an act of parliament, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the nation – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it could result in further reputational damage for the monarchy.
Andrew is also still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he became such as the child of the sovereign. This could only be changed if a royal decree was issued by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the objective of quickly addressing the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – may not be met.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement signifies an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by his brother to encourage his brother to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much funds the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he continues to be a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, for example.
Why Now?
The continual series of controversies involving Andrew has become unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His association 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 ceased contact.
There have also been stories about his connections 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 Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the king is due to make a historic visit to see the pontiff 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 visit to be marred by more negative headlines about his brother.
What Has Been the Response?
While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He should be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a legal probe. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
