Why the Duke of York is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement issued by the royal household, Prince Andrew has declared he is giving up his official honors, including his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Did the Prince Said?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now decided to “go a step further” 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 after settling a substantial sum to settle the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the claims involving the prince – especially since his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to safeguard the royal family from additional harm caused by public speculation.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Honors?
No. And, while this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, as well as the titles the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as a member of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style honorific, they are effectively dormant.
He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign should he be abroad or unwell. However the palace has indicated that, realistically, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement said the decision was made “following talks with the king”. It appears little doubt that, privately, the palace advocated for the move 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 represent an unprecedented step publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be changed if a royal decree was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Humiliation, likely above all. The statement signifies an substantial reduction of standing he has resisted for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, despite rumoured attempts by the king to encourage his brother to move out of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about exactly how much funds Andrew has received as a result of his position, he continues to be a person of means. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless list of scandals related to the prince has proved unacceptable for the king and other senior royals.
His friendship with the jailed 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 dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
There have also been reports about his association with a suspected Chinese spy and, recently, excerpts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo soon, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Was the Response?
While he said his sister had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “true justice” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, noting: “Andrew remains accused of sexual offences and abuse of office. He ought to be stripped of every honor and his military position and should face a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
