The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has declared he is relinquishing his official honors, including his dukedom. Here are the details of what was announced – and what remains unchanged.
What Did the Prince Announced?
Having already withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has currently decided to “take additional measures” and consent to refrain from using the “title or the awards which have been granted to” him.
However, he used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; albeit having paid out millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case 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 over the claims involving the prince – especially since his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect his relatives from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
No. And although this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it is significant in multiple ways: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have acted honourably in defence of the monarchy. As stated in his statement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented not to use it, Andrew retains his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style honorific, they are effectively inactive.
He continues to be royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king if he is abroad or ill. Although the palace has indicated that, in practice, he will not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, behind the scenes, the palace advocated for the move in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a ducal title would require an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it could result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This could only be changed if a letters patent was issued by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the goal of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an substantial reduction of standing he has resisted for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to persuade Andrew to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.
While little light has been shed on the precise amount of money the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, as an instance.
Why Now?
The continual list of scandals involving Andrew has become intolerable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were stories about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to see the pontiff next week, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Was the Reaction?
While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “true justice” to be achieved.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He ought to be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should face a legal probe. Not using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
