The Reasons the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Royal 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 official honors, including his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been announced – and what wasn't.
What Has the Prince Announced?
After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “go a step further” and consent not to use the “honor or the honours which have been granted to” him.
But he also employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; even though after settling a substantial sum to settle the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct.
There has been persistent pressure on the monarchy over the allegations against Andrew – particularly after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect the royal family from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As stated in his announcement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations 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 Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness title, they are effectively inactive.
He remains a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king if he is abroad or ill. Although the palace has made clear that, in practice, he would not be asked to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement indicated the decision was made “following talks with the king”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the royal household advocated for the move in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before the nation – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the child of the sovereign. This would only be changed if a royal decree was issued by the king.
The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Humiliation, likely above all. The statement signifies an substantial reduction of standing he has resisted for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by the king to persuade Andrew to move out of the 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been shed on exactly how much funds the prince has obtained due to his status, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a property that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the king and other senior royals.
His association with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in a message sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were stories 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 Andrew “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Moreover, the sovereign is due to make a historic visit 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 Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that trip to be marred by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Has Been the Reaction?
While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He ought to be divested of every honor and his navy rank and should face a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
