Why the Duke of York is Giving Up His Official Titles – and the Implications for the Monarchy
In a announcement released via Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has declared that he will be giving up his royal titles, including the Duke of York. Here is an overview of what was revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Did the Prince Said?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “go a step further” and consent not to use the “title or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
However, he employed the announcement to emphatically denying – as he has always done – the accusations of misconduct leveled at him; even though after settling a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied any claims of wrongdoing.
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 presently states that his actions are to protect the royal family from additional harm caused by public speculation.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Titles?
Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it holds importance in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have decided, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and the nation first.”
Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, they essentially become dormant.
He remains a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the sovereign if he is abroad or ill. Although the palace has made clear that, realistically, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nevertheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement indicated the decision was made “following talks with the king”. There seems little doubt that, privately, the royal household advocated for this in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would constitute an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not occurred to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more harm to the image for the royals.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Embarrassment, likely above all. The announcement signifies an substantial reduction of standing he has fought against for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, 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 shed on exactly how much money the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he continues to be a person of means. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.
What Prompted This?
The continual list of scandals related to the prince has become intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
His friendship with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines 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 a suspected intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Moreover, the sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, during which he will be the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that visit to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about Andrew.
What Was the Response?
Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, noting: “Andrew remains accused of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be stripped of all titles and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that fits the offences.”
