Why Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy
In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has declared that he will be relinquishing his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Here is an overview of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Has the Prince Announced?
Having already withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.
However, he employed the announcement to make a point of rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; even though having paid out millions to resolve the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution over the claims against Andrew – particularly after his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to safeguard his relatives from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
No. And although this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: initially, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in support of the monarchy. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my family and the nation first.”
Second, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, as well as the honors his earldom and his barony and the prestigious Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively dormant.
He remains a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the sovereign if he is overseas or unwell. However royal officials has made clear that, realistically, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the king”. It appears little doubt that, behind the scenes, the palace pushed for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it could result in further harm to the image for the royals.
Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became such as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be achieved.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an substantial reduction of standing he has fought against for years.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite rumoured attempts by the king to encourage his brother to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been shed on the precise amount of money the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he continues to be a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he was able to raise £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were stories about his connections with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is scheduled to make a historic visit to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the first English monarch since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Was the Response?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “true justice” to be achieved.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has also said the move is “too little, too late”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He ought to be divested of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
