The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy
Through a announcement issued by the royal household, Prince Andrew has declared that he will be giving up his royal titles, including his dukedom. Below are the details of what was revealed – and what wasn't.
What Did the Prince Said?
After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now chosen 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 employed the announcement to emphatically denying – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of misconduct leveled at him; even though after settling a substantial sum to settle the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct.
There has existed persistent pressure toward the royal institution regarding the allegations against Andrew – especially since his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect the royal family from further damage caused by public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Titles?
No. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: initially, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As stated in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented to abstain from using it, Andrew retains the dukedom, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness title, they are effectively inactive.
He remains a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the king should he be abroad or ill. However the palace has made clear that, in practice, he will 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 highly likely that, privately, the palace pushed for the move in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a ducal title would take legislative action, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more reputational damage for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be altered if a royal decree was issued by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being protracted, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – particularly for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be achieved.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade Andrew to move out of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been shed on exactly how much funds Andrew has received as a result of his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a gift from his mother, as an instance.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless series of controversies related to the prince has become unacceptable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in a message dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
There have also been reports about his connections with a suspected Chinese spy and, recently, excerpts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the king is due to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, during which he will be the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Was the Reaction?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has also said the action is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be stripped of every honor and his military position and should face a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
