The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a announcement released via Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has confirmed he is giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Below is an overview of what was announced – and what remains unchanged.
What Did the Prince Said?
Having already stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “take additional measures” and agree to refrain from using the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him.
But he also used the statement to make a point of rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit having paid out millions to settle the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of improper conduct.
There has existed ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution 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 public speculation.
Has the King Removed Him of His Titles?
No. And although this might be viewed as a mere formality, it holds importance in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew 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 relatives and country first.”
Second, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, along with the honors his earldom and his barony and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style honorific, they essentially become dormant.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is overseas or ill. However the palace has indicated that, realistically, he would not be asked to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “in discussion with the king”. There seems little doubt that, behind the scenes, the palace pushed for the move in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would require legislative action, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it could result in further reputational damage for the royals.
The prince remains 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 king.
The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the objective of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The announcement signifies an substantial reduction of standing he has resisted for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by the king to persuade his brother to relocate of the 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
While little light has been shed on the precise amount of money Andrew has received as a result of his status, he remains a person of means. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a gift from the queen, as an instance.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless list of scandals related to the prince has become intolerable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His friendship with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ceased contact.
Additionally, there were reports about his connections with a suspected Chinese spy and, recently, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to see the pontiff next week, when he will become the initial British king since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly 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 Reaction?
While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” 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 done.
The republican campaign group Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He ought to be stripped of all titles and his military position and should face a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
