The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Royal Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement issued by the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is relinquishing his royal titles, including the Duke of York. Below is an overview of what was revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has the Prince Said?
After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to settle the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of improper conduct.
There has been persistent pressure toward the royal institution regarding the allegations against Andrew – particularly after his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to safeguard his relatives from further damage caused by media scrutiny.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles?
No. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, as well as 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 title, they essentially become dormant.
He remains royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is abroad or unwell. However royal officials has made clear that, in practice, he will not be asked to perform these duties.
Nevertheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the royal household pushed for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would take an act of parliament, 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 could result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically as the child of the sovereign. This could only be changed if a royal decree was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the objective of quickly addressing the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – may not be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an substantial reduction of standing he has resisted for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by the king to encourage Andrew to relocate of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about the precise amount of funds the prince has obtained due to his status, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he was able to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His friendship with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were stories about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged the prince “thought that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Moreover, the sovereign is due to make a historic visit to see the pontiff next week, during which he will be the initial British king since Henry VIII 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 overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Has Been the Reaction?
Although he stated his sister had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed the Times that the prince's style should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the action is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should 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.”
