The Reasons the Duke of York is Giving Up His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy
Through a announcement released by Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has declared that he will be relinquishing his official honors, such as his dukedom. Below is an overview of what was announced – and what wasn't.
What Did the Prince Announced?
After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has currently chosen to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “honor or the awards which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also used the statement to make a point of denying – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the claims involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to safeguard 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 is significant in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in support of the monarchy. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented to abstain from using it, the prince keeps the dukedom, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness title, they are effectively dormant.
He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king should he be abroad or ill. Although royal officials has made clear that, in practice, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement said this choice was made “following talks with the king”. There seems little doubt that, privately, the royal household advocated for this in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would require legislative action, and would constitute such a historic move publicly before the nation – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it would likely result in further reputational damage for the royals.
Andrew is also still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This could only be altered if a royal decree was issued by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the goal of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The announcement signifies an effective loss of status he has resisted for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by his brother to encourage his brother to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
While little light has been shed on the precise amount of money the prince has obtained due to his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a gift from the queen, as an instance.
Why Now?
The continual series of controversies involving Andrew has become unacceptable for the king and other senior royals.
His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were stories 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 alleged the prince “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be marred by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Has Been the Response?
While he said his sister had been “vindicated” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the action is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be divested of all titles and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that fits the offences.”
