The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Official Titles – and the Implications for the Monarchy
In a announcement released by the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be relinquishing his official honors, including his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has Andrew Announced?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “title or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also used the statement to make a point of rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit after settling a substantial sum to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has existed persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the claims involving the prince – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect the royal family from further damage caused by public speculation.
Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Titles?
Not at all. And although this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in support of the monarchy. As stated in his statement: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented to abstain from using it, Andrew retains the dukedom, as well as the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they essentially become inactive.
He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king should he be overseas or ill. However the palace has made clear that, realistically, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “in discussion with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, privately, the palace advocated for the move in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would require legislative action, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely result in further reputational damage for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be altered if a royal decree was issued by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite rumoured attempts by the king to encourage Andrew to move out of the 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about exactly how much money Andrew has received as a result of his position, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a gift from his mother, for example.
Why Now?
The continual series of controversies related to the prince has proved intolerable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in a message dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
There have also been stories about his connections with a suspected intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged the prince “thought that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is due to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, during which he will be the initial British king since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that visit to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Was the Reaction?
Although he stated his sister had been “vindicated” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be stripped of all titles and his military position and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a penalty that fits the offences.”
