Why Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Royal Titles – and What It Means for the Monarchy
In a announcement released by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has declared that he will be giving up his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Here is an overview of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has Andrew Said?
Having already withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has now decided to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit having paid out millions to settle the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and strongly rejected any claims of wrongdoing.
There has been persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the allegations against Andrew – particularly after his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect the royal family from further damage resulting from media scrutiny.
Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Titles?
No. And although this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”
Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the honors his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as a member of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style honorific, they are effectively dormant.
He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king should he be abroad or ill. However royal officials has indicated that, realistically, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “in discussion with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household pushed for the move in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a dukedom would require legislative action, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it would likely result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.
The whole process could end up being protracted, implying the goal of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Humiliation, likely above all. The statement represents an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding reported efforts by his brother to encourage Andrew to move out of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been revealed about the precise amount of money the prince has obtained due to his position, he remains a person of means. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a gift from his mother, for example.
What Prompted This?
The continual list of scandals involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the monarch and other senior royals.
His association with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines following revelations that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication.
There have also been stories about his connections with a suspected intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit 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 pray publicly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Has Been the Response?
Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed the Times that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.
The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be divested of all titles and his military position and should undergo a criminal investigation. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
