The Reasons the Duke of York is Giving Up His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy
In a statement issued by the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed he is giving up his royal titles, such as the Duke of York. Here are the details of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Did Andrew Announced?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “honor or the awards which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also employed the announcement to emphatically denying – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of wrongdoing.
There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the claims involving the prince – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect his relatives from further damage caused by public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And although this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it is significant in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in defence of the monarchy. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my family and the nation first.”
Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, Andrew retains his ducal title, as well as the titles his earldom and his barony and the prestigious Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style title, they are effectively dormant.
He remains royalty and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is overseas or unwell. Although the palace has indicated that, realistically, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears little doubt that, privately, the palace advocated for this in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would represent such a historic move in full view of the public – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it could result in further reputational damage for the royals.
Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This could only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the king.
The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the goal of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an effective loss of status he has resisted for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to encourage Andrew to relocate of the 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about the precise amount of funds the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he continues to be a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny following revelations Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were reports about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged the prince “believed 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 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 visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Has Been the Response?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “justified” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “true justice” to be done.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual offences and misuse of position. He ought to be stripped of every honor and his military position and should face a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
