Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
In a statement issued via Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is relinquishing his official honors, including the Duke of York. Below are the details of what was announced – and what wasn't.
What Did the Prince Announced?
Having already stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “go a step further” and consent not to use the “title or the awards which have been granted to” him.
However, he used the statement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit after settling 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 improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution over the allegations involving the prince – especially since his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect his relatives from additional harm caused by media scrutiny.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
No. And although this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it is significant in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in support of the crown. As stated in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and country first.”
Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Similar to the royal style title, they essentially become dormant.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king if he is abroad or ill. Although royal officials has made clear that, in practice, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “in discussion with the monarch”. It appears little doubt that, privately, the palace pushed for the move in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would constitute an unprecedented step publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it would likely result in further reputational damage for the monarchy.
The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he became such as the son of a monarch. This could only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The whole process could end up being drawn-out, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by the king to persuade Andrew to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
While little light has been revealed about the precise amount of money the prince has obtained due to his position, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny following revelations that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in a message sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication.
There have also been stories about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Has Been the Response?
While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He should be divested of every honor and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
