The Reasons the Duke of York is Giving Up His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
In a announcement issued via Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has confirmed he is giving up his royal titles, such as the Duke of York. Here is an overview of what has been announced – and what wasn't.
What Did Andrew Announced?
After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has now chosen to “take additional measures” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also employed the announcement to make a point of denying – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; even though after settling a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct.
There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution over the claims involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to protect his relatives from further damage caused by public speculation.
Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Titles?
No. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: first, it enables the prince to publicly claim 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 his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH royal style title, they are effectively dormant.
He continues to be a prince and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king if he is overseas or ill. However royal officials has indicated that, realistically, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the king”. There seems little doubt that, behind the scenes, the palace pushed for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?
To revoke a ducal title would require legislative action, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it could result in further reputational damage 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 changed if a letters patent was enacted by the king.
The whole process could end up being protracted, meaning the objective of quickly addressing the matter – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be achieved.
What Does It Mean for Andrew?
Humiliation, likely above all. The statement signifies an effective loss of standing he has resisted for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by his brother to persuade his brother to move out of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much money Andrew has received as a result of his position, he remains a person of means. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a property 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 unacceptable for the king and other senior royals.
His association with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny following revelations Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were stories about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, this week, excerpts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his birthright”.
Moreover, the king is due to make a historic visit to see the pontiff soon, when he will become the initial British king 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 will not have wanted that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew.
What Has Been the Reaction?
Although he stated his sister had been “vindicated” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.
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 misconduct and abuse of office. He should be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a legal probe. Not using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”
