The Reasons Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Official Titles – and the Implications for the Royal Family
In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has declared he is relinquishing his royal titles, including his dukedom. Here are the details of what was revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Did Andrew Announced?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently chosen to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
However, he employed the announcement to make a point of denying – as he has always done – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though after settling millions to settle the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected any claims of wrongdoing.
There has been persistent pressure toward the royal institution regarding the claims against Andrew – particularly after his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect the royal family from additional harm resulting from public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles?
No. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the monarchy. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and country first.”
Second, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the prestigious order. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively inactive.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the sovereign should he be overseas or ill. However the palace has indicated that, realistically, he will not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said the decision was made “in discussion with the king”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the palace advocated for this in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a dukedom would take legislative action, and would constitute an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
Andrew is also still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a royal decree was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The whole process could end up being drawn-out, implying the goal of swiftly resolving the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The statement represents an effective loss of standing he has fought against for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by the king to persuade his brother to move out of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been revealed about the precise amount of money the prince has obtained due to his position, he remains a person of means. In 2007, he was able to raise £15m from the sale of a home that had been a gift from his mother, for example.
Why Now?
The continual list of scandals related to the prince has proved unacceptable for the king 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 share this situation” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were stories about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to see the pontiff 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 leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about his brother.
What Has Been the Response?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.
The republican campaign group Republic has also said the action is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be stripped of all titles and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”