🔗 Share this article Why Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Monarchy In a announcement released via the royal household, Prince Andrew has declared that he will be relinquishing his royal titles, including his dukedom. Below is an overview of what was announced – and what remains unchanged. What Did the Prince Announced? Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has currently chosen to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him. But he also employed the announcement to make a point of rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit after settling a substantial sum to settle the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and strongly rejected all allegations of wrongdoing. There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the allegations involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to safeguard the royal family from additional harm caused by media scrutiny. Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Titles? Not at all. And although this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it is significant in two respects: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.” Additionally, although he consented to abstain from using it, Andrew retains the dukedom, as well as the titles 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 inactive. He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he remains still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the king if he is abroad or unwell. Although royal officials has made clear that, realistically, he would not be asked to perform these duties. Nevertheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said this choice was made “in discussion with the king”. 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 forcibly remove a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more reputational damage for the monarchy. The prince remains a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he became such as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the king. The whole process could end up being drawn-out, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved. What Are the Implications for the Prince? Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for years. He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by the king to persuade his brother to move out of the 30-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park. Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much funds the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance. What Prompted This? The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the king and other senior royals. His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines following revelations that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in a message dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact. Additionally, there were stories about his connections with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his birthright”. Moreover, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about his brother. What Has Been the Response? Although he stated his sister had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done. The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be divested of all titles and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”