Why Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement issued via the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be giving up his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Below are the details of what was revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has the Prince Announced?
After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “go a step further” and agree not to use the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.
However, he employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to settle the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct.
There has existed ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the claims against Andrew – particularly after his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to safeguard the royal family from further damage resulting from media scrutiny.
Has the King Removed Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And although this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it is significant in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the monarchy. As stated in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and country first.”
Second, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the titles his earldom and his barony and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Similar to the royal style title, they are effectively dormant.
He remains a prince 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 unwell. Although royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he would not be asked to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated the decision was made “following talks with the king”. There seems little doubt that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for this in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a ducal title would require an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before 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.
Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a royal decree was enacted by the king.
The whole process could end up being protracted, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved.
What Does It Mean for the Prince?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an effective loss of standing he has resisted for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade Andrew to relocate of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much money the prince has obtained due to his position, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.
Why Now?
The continual list of scandals related to the prince has proved unacceptable 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 Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact.
There have also been reports about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, extracts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, during which he will be the initial British king since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Has Been the Response?
While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told the Times that the prince's style should be revoked for “true justice” to be achieved.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He should be stripped of every honor and his military position and should face a criminal investigation. Not using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
