🔗 Share this article Why the Duke of York is Giving Up His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Monarchy Through a statement released via Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is relinquishing his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Here is an overview of what has been revealed – and what wasn't. What Did the Prince Announced? After previously withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently chosen to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him. But he also employed the announcement to make a point of rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of misconduct leveled at him; even though having paid out millions to settle the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected any claims of wrongdoing. There has been persistent pressure on the monarchy over the claims against Andrew – particularly after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect the royal family from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny. Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Honors? No. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the monarchy. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.” Additionally, while he has agreed not to use it, Andrew retains the dukedom, as well as the titles the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they essentially become inactive. He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the sovereign should he be overseas or unwell. However the palace has made clear that, in practice, he would not be called upon to perform these duties. Nevertheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “in discussion with the monarch”. It appears little doubt that, privately, the royal household advocated 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 constitute an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely cause more reputational damage for the royals. The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This would only be changed if a royal decree was issued by the king. The whole process could end up being protracted, implying the goal of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved. What Does It Mean for Andrew? Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for a long time. The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to encourage his brother to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park. Although limited information 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 was able to secure £15m from the sale of a home that had been a gift from his mother, as an instance. What Prompted This? The continual list of scandals related to the prince has become intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members. His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny following revelations Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact. There have also been stories about his connections with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”. Moreover, the sovereign is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by more negative headlines about his brother. What Has Been the Reaction? While he said his sister had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done. The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be stripped of all titles and his navy rank and should face a criminal investigation. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”