In a announcement released via the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Below are the details of what was announced – and what wasn't.
What Has the Prince Said?
After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.
But he also employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit after settling millions to settle the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has existed ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the claims against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect his relatives from further damage caused by media scrutiny.
Has the King Removed Him of His Titles?
No. And although this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have acted honourably in support of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the honors his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively dormant.
He remains royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he remains still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king should he be abroad or ill. Although royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he would not be called upon to perform these duties.
Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, privately, the palace advocated for the move in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?
To revoke a ducal title would take legislative action, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the nation – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more harm to the image for the royals.
Andrew is also still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This would only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the objective of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be achieved.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for years.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to encourage his brother to move out of the 30-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much funds the prince has obtained due to his status, he remains a person of means. In 2007, he was able to secure £15m by selling a property that had been a gift from the queen, for example.
What Prompted This?
The continual list of scandals related to the prince has proved intolerable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were stories about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Moreover, the sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff next week, when he will become the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Was the Reaction?
Although he stated his sister had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be stripped of every honor and his military position and should face a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”
