The Reasons Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy

Through a statement released via the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is giving up his royal titles, such as the Duke of York. Here is an overview of what was revealed – and what remains unchanged.

What Has the Prince Said?

Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now decided to “go a step further” and consent to refrain from using the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him.

However, he employed the announcement to emphatically denying – as he has always done – the allegations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit having paid out millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of wrongdoing.

There has been persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the claims against Andrew – particularly after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect the royal family from additional harm resulting from public speculation.

Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Titles?

Not at all. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it enables the prince to openly state to have acted honourably in defence of the monarchy. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my family and country first.”

Additionally, although he consented not to use it, Andrew retains his ducal title, as well as the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style honorific, they essentially become inactive.

He remains royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the sovereign should he be overseas or ill. Although the palace has made clear that, realistically, he will not be called upon to perform these duties.

Nevertheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement indicated the decision was made “in discussion with the king”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household pushed for this in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.

Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?

To forcibly remove a ducal title would require an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it would likely result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.

The prince remains still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the king.

The whole process could end up being protracted, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.

What Are the Implications for the Prince?

Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement signifies an effective loss of status he has resisted for years.

He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to persuade his brother to move out of the 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.

While little light has been shed on exactly how much funds Andrew has received due to his status, he continues to be a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m by selling a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, for example.

What Prompted This?

The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the king and other senior royals.

His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines following revelations that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication.

Additionally, there were reports about his association with a suspected intelligence operative and, this week, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed the prince “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.

Furthermore, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, when he will become the initial British king since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that visit to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew.

What Was the Response?

Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.

The republican advocacy organization 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 stripped of all titles and his navy rank and should face a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”