Why Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family
Through a announcement issued by the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be relinquishing his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Did the Prince Said?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “go a step further” 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 rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit having paid out millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and strongly rejected any claims of wrongdoing.
There has been persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the claims involving the prince – particularly after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to safeguard the royal family from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles?
Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: initially, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented not to use it, Andrew retains the dukedom, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style title, they are effectively dormant.
He remains a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the sovereign if he is overseas or ill. Although royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he will not be asked to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the palace advocated for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it could result in further reputational damage for the royals.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This would only be changed if a royal decree was issued by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, implying the objective of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be achieved.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement signifies an substantial reduction of standing he has resisted for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding reported efforts by his brother to encourage Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about exactly how much money Andrew has received as a result of his status, he continues to be a person of means. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a home that had been a gift from the queen, for example.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines following revelations that the prince stated to 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 connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, this week, excerpts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is due to make a historic visit to see the pontiff soon, when he will become the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that visit to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Was the Reaction?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that the prince's style should be revoked for “true justice” to be achieved.
The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be stripped of all titles and his military position and should face a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
