The Reasons the Duke of York is Giving Up His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family
In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Did Andrew Announced?
Having already withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has now decided to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.
But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit having paid out millions to settle the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected any claims of wrongdoing.
There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the claims against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect the royal family from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Honors?
No. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in support of the monarchy. As stated in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my family and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented to abstain from using it, the prince keeps the dukedom, along with the titles his earldom and his barony and the prestigious Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style honorific, they essentially become inactive.
He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the sovereign should he be overseas or ill. Although the palace has made clear that, in practice, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the royal household advocated for this in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would constitute an unprecedented step publicly before the nation – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This would only be altered if a royal decree was enacted by the king.
The whole process could end up being drawn-out, meaning the objective of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by his brother to encourage his brother to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been shed on the precise amount of funds Andrew has received due to his position, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he was able to secure £15m by selling a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, as an instance.
Why Now?
The continual list of scandals involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact.
There have also been stories about his connections with a suspected intelligence operative and, this week, extracts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the initial British king after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church 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 Has Been the Reaction?
Although he stated his sister had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, noting: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be divested of all titles and his military position and should undergo a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
