Why the Duke of York is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family
Through a statement issued by the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed he is relinquishing his official honors, including the Duke of York. Here are the details of what was announced – and what wasn't.
What Did Andrew Announced?
After previously withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now chosen to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.
However, he used the statement to make a point of rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has existed 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 safeguard the royal family from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Titles?
Not at all. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As stated in his statement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my family and country first.”
Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the titles the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style title, they essentially become inactive.
He continues to be a prince 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 asked to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems 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 forcibly remove a ducal title would take legislative action, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it could cause more harm to the image for the royals.
Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being protracted, meaning the objective of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an effective loss of status he has fought against for years.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, despite reported efforts by his brother to persuade his brother to relocate of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been revealed about the precise amount of funds Andrew has received as a result of his status, he continues to be a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a home that had been a gift from his mother, for example.
What Prompted This?
The continual list of scandals related to the prince has become intolerable for the king and other senior royals.
His association with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in a message dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
There have also been stories about his connections with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed the prince “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the sovereign is due 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 pray publicly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by more negative headlines 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 Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has additionally stated the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He ought to be divested of every honor and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
