The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Royal Titles – and the Implications for the Monarchy

Through a announcement released by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has declared that he will be relinquishing his official honors, such as the Duke of York. Here is an overview of what has been announced – and what wasn't.

What Did Andrew Said?

Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now chosen to “take additional measures” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been conferred upon” him.

But he also employed the announcement to emphatically denying – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though after settling millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and strongly rejected all allegations of improper conduct.

There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the allegations against Andrew – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect the royal family from further damage resulting from public speculation.

Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Honors?

No. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it holds importance in multiple ways: initially, it enables the prince to openly state to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my family and country first.”

Second, while he has agreed not to use it, Andrew retains his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, 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 can stand in for the sovereign should he be abroad or unwell. Although royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.

Nonetheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household pushed for the move in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.

Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?

To revoke a dukedom would take legislative action, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the public – it has not occurred to a senior 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 as the child of the sovereign. This could only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the king.

The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved.

What Does It Mean for Andrew?

Humiliation, likely above all. The statement represents an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for a long time.

The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by his brother to encourage Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.

While little light has been shed on exactly how much money the prince has obtained due to his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a property that had been a gift from his mother, for example.

Why Now?

The continual series of controversies related to the prince has become unacceptable for the king and other senior royals.

His friendship with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines after it emerged Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ceased contact.

Additionally, there were stories about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged the prince “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”.

Furthermore, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew.

What Was the Response?

While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.

The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “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 face a criminal investigation. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”