The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Monarchy
Through a statement released via the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has the Prince Said?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him.
But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit having paid out millions to settle the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of improper conduct.
There has existed persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the claims against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect the royal family from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Honors?
No. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, 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 chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, Andrew retains the dukedom, as well as the titles the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style honorific, they are effectively inactive.
He continues to be royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king if he is abroad or ill. Although the palace has indicated that, realistically, he will not be asked to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “following talks with the king”. There seems little doubt that, behind the scenes, the palace advocated for this in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a ducal title would require an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it could cause more reputational damage for the monarchy.
The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the son of a monarch. 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 matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Humiliation, likely above all. The statement represents an effective loss of status he has fought against for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade his brother to relocate of the thirty-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been revealed about the precise amount of money the prince has obtained due to his status, he continues to be a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, for example.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has become intolerable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His association with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny following revelations Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in a message sent three months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were reports about his association with a suspected Chinese spy and, recently, excerpts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that visit to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Has Been the Reaction?
While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.
The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Not using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
