Why the Duke of York is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family
In a announcement released via the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is giving up his official honors, including the Duke of York. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has the Prince Announced?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “take additional measures” and consent to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been granted to” him.
However, he employed the announcement to emphatically denying – as he has always done – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit after settling a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and strongly rejected all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has existed persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the allegations involving the prince – particularly after his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to safeguard the royal family from further damage resulting from public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
No. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it holds importance in two respects: initially, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in defence 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.”
Additionally, although he consented not to use it, Andrew retains his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style honorific, they essentially become dormant.
He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is abroad or unwell. However the palace has made clear that, in practice, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nevertheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “in discussion with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, behind the scenes, the palace advocated for the move in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before the nation – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more harm to the image for the royals.
Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a letters patent was issued by the king.
The whole process could end up being protracted, implying the goal of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Humiliation, likely above all. The statement represents an effective loss of status he has resisted for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by the king to persuade his brother to move out of the 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about the precise amount of funds the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance.
What Prompted This?
The continual series of controversies involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines following revelations Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were stories about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged the prince “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is due to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, when he will become the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Was the Response?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He should be stripped of all titles and his navy rank and should undergo a legal probe. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
