The Reasons the Duke of York Has Surrendered His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
In a announcement issued via the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is relinquishing his official honors, such as the Duke of York. Below is an overview of what was announced – and what remains unchanged.
What Has Andrew Said?
After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has currently chosen to “go a step further” and agree not to use the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him.
However, he employed the announcement to make a point of denying – as he has always done – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit after settling a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected any claims of improper conduct.
There has existed ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the allegations involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect his relatives from additional harm caused by public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
No. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it holds importance in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to publicly claim 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.”
Additionally, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the prestigious order. Similar to the royal style title, they are effectively dormant.
He remains royalty and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king should he be overseas or unwell. Although the palace has made clear that, in practice, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “following talks with the king”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the palace pushed for this in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a ducal title would take legislative action, and would constitute an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely cause more harm to the image for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This could only be changed if a letters patent was issued by the king.
The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The statement represents an substantial reduction of standing he has resisted for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to persuade his brother to relocate of the 30-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
While little light has been shed on the precise amount of funds the prince has obtained due to his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he was able to secure £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from the queen, for example.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the king and other senior royals.
His association with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were reports about his connections with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged the prince “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the sovereign is scheduled to make a historic visit to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the initial British king after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Has Been the Reaction?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that the prince's style ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the action is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and misuse of position. He ought to be stripped of all titles and his military position and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
