🔗 Share this article Why the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has confirmed he is giving up his royal titles, including his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been announced – and what remains unchanged. What Did the Prince Said? After previously withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has now decided to “take additional measures” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been conferred upon” him. However, he employed the announcement to make a point of rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of misconduct leveled at him; even though after settling a substantial sum to settle the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and strongly rejected all allegations of improper conduct. There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the claims against Andrew – especially since his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to protect the royal family from further damage resulting from public speculation. Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Titles? Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in support of the monarchy. As stated 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 to abstain from using it, Andrew retains his ducal title, along with the titles his earldom and his barony and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness title, they are effectively 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 king should he be overseas or ill. However royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he will not be asked to fulfil this role. Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the king”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the palace pushed for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew. Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of All of His Titles? To revoke a ducal title would require an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more reputational damage for the royals. Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This would only be changed if a letters patent was issued by the reigning monarch. The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – may not be met. What Does It Mean for the Prince? Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The announcement signifies an effective loss of standing he has resisted for a long time. The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park. While little light has been shed on the precise amount of funds the prince has obtained due to his status, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance. Why Now? The seemingly endless list of scandals related to the prince has proved intolerable for the king and other high-ranking family members. His friendship with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny following revelations that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact. Additionally, there were reports about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”. Furthermore, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the initial British king since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about Andrew. What Was the Response? While he said his sister had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “true justice” to be done. The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has also said the action is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be divested of every honor and his military position and should face a criminal investigation. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that fits the offences.”