Why Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement released via the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed that he will be relinquishing his official honors, such as his dukedom. Here are the details of what was announced – and what remains unchanged.
What Has the Prince Said?
After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently chosen to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “honor or the honours which have been granted to” him.
But he also used the statement to emphatically denying – as he has always done – the allegations of misconduct made against him; albeit after settling millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct.
There has existed persistent pressure toward the royal institution over the allegations against Andrew – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect his relatives from additional harm caused by public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles?
Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: first, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in defence of the monarchy. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and country first.”
Additionally, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the honors his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. 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 still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the sovereign if he is overseas or ill. However the palace has indicated that, in practice, he will not be asked to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement said this choice was made “following talks with the king”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the palace pushed for this in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would take legislative action, and would constitute an unprecedented step publicly before the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more reputational damage for the royals.
The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a royal decree was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The whole process could end up being drawn-out, implying the goal of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be achieved.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by his brother to encourage Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been shed on the precise amount of funds the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a property that had been a gift from his mother, for example.
What Prompted This?
The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in a message sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication.
There have also been stories about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to see the pontiff next week, when he will become the initial British king since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Has Been the Response?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “justified” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be divested of every honor and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
