The Reasons the Duke of York is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family

In a announcement released by the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed he is giving up his official honors, including his dukedom. Here is an overview of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged.

What Did Andrew Announced?

After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “go a step further” and consent not to use the “honor or the awards which have been conferred upon” him.

But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though having paid out millions to resolve the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

There has existed ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution over the claims involving the prince – particularly after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to protect his relatives from further damage caused by public speculation.

Has the King Removed Him of His Titles?

Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it is significant in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As stated in his statement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”

Second, although he consented to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the honors his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH royal style title, they essentially become dormant.

He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king should he be abroad or unwell. However royal officials has indicated that, realistically, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.

Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement indicated the decision was made “in discussion with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the palace advocated for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.

Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors?

To forcibly remove a ducal title would take legislative action, and would represent such a historic move in full view of the nation – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it could cause more reputational damage for the royals.

Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically such as the son of a monarch. This would only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the king.

The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be achieved.

What Are the Implications for the Prince?

Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement signifies 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 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.

Although limited information has been revealed about the precise amount of money the prince has obtained due to his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a property that had been a gift from the queen, for example.

What Prompted This?

The seemingly endless series of controversies related to the prince has proved unacceptable for the king and other senior royals.

His association with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact.

There have also been reports about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.

Moreover, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip 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 his brother.

What Was the Reaction?

While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved.

The republican advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the action is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be divested of all titles and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”