Why Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
In a announcement released by the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is relinquishing his official honors, such as his dukedom. Below is an overview of what was revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Did the Prince Announced?
Having already withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has currently decided to “go a step further” and consent not to use the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; even though having paid out millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct.
There has been persistent pressure on the monarchy over the claims involving the prince – especially since his ill-fated 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.
Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it is significant in two respects: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have acted honourably in support of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and country first.”
Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps the dukedom, along with the titles his earldom and his barony and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH royal style honorific, they are effectively dormant.
He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the king should he be overseas or unwell. Although royal officials has made clear that, in practice, he would not be asked to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “in discussion with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, privately, the palace pushed for this in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would require legislative action, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the nation – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it could result in further reputational damage for the monarchy.
The prince remains a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This would only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, implying the goal of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for years.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to encourage Andrew to move out of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been shed on exactly how much funds Andrew has received due to his status, he remains a person of means. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a gift from the queen, for example.
What Prompted This?
The continual list of scandals involving Andrew has become intolerable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His friendship with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny following revelations that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in a message dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
There have also been reports about his connections with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged the prince “believed that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Has Been the Reaction?
While he said his sister had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that the prince's style ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.
The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He ought to be stripped of all titles and his navy rank and should face a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
