Why the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Monarchy
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has confirmed he is relinquishing his royal titles, including his dukedom. Here is an overview of what was revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Has Andrew Said?
Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “take additional measures” 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; even though after settling a substantial sum to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the allegations involving the prince – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect the royal family from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And although this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it is significant in two respects: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As stated in his statement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and country 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 a member of the prestigious order. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively inactive.
He continues to be royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king should he be overseas or ill. Although royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nevertheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears little doubt that, privately, the royal household advocated for this in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it would likely result in further reputational damage for the monarchy.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This could only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, implying the goal of swiftly resolving the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The statement represents an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to encourage his brother to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been revealed about exactly how much funds Andrew has received as a result of his position, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless list of scandals related to the prince 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 under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were stories about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts were published 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 sovereign is scheduled to make a historic visit to see the pontiff soon, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Has Been the Response?
While he said 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 anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He should be divested of all titles and his military position and should face a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
