Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Royal Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement issued by the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is relinquishing his royal titles, including his dukedom. Here are the details of what was revealed – and what wasn't.
What Did the Prince Announced?
After previously withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “go a step further” and consent to refrain from using the “title or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also used the statement to emphatically denying – 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 brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the claims involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect his relatives from further damage resulting from media scrutiny.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
No. And although this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: initially, it enables the prince to openly state to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”
Additionally, although he consented not to use it, Andrew retains the dukedom, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style title, they essentially become dormant.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he remains still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is abroad or unwell. However royal officials has made clear that, in practice, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement said this choice was made “following talks with the king”. There seems highly likely that, privately, the palace advocated for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a dukedom would take legislative action, and would constitute an unprecedented step publicly before the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more reputational damage for the royals.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. 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 issued by the king.
The whole process could end up being protracted, meaning the objective of quickly addressing the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an effective loss of standing he has fought against for years.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding reported efforts by his brother to encourage his brother to move out of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much money the prince has obtained due to his status, he remains a wealthy individual. In 2007, he was able to raise £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, as an instance.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has become unacceptable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in a message dispatched months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
There have also been reports about his connections with a suspected Chinese spy and, recently, extracts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Moreover, the sovereign is due to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, during which he will be the initial British king after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Has Been the Reaction?
While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be divested of all titles and his navy rank and should face a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
