Why the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family
Through a statement issued by the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is relinquishing his royal titles, such as the Duke of York. Here are the details of what was revealed – and what remains unchanged.
What Has the Prince Said?
After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “go a step further” and consent to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
But he also used the statement to make a point of denying – as he has always done – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit having paid out millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct.
There has existed ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the claims involving the prince – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to protect his relatives from further damage resulting from media scrutiny.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles?
No. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: first, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have acted honourably in support of the monarchy. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, 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, Andrew retains his ducal title, along with the titles the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style honorific, they essentially become dormant.
He remains royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he remains still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king if he is abroad or unwell. Although royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nevertheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “in discussion with the king”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the royal household pushed for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would constitute such a historic move publicly before the nation – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it could cause more harm to the image for the monarchy.
The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be altered if a letters patent was issued by the reigning monarch.
The whole process might ultimately 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 announcement represents an effective loss of status he has resisted for a long time.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade Andrew to relocate of the 30-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
Although limited information has been shed on the precise amount of money the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he continues to be a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a property that had been a gift from the queen, as an instance.
Why Now?
The continual list of scandals involving Andrew has become unacceptable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.
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 are in this together” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were reports about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, extracts were published 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 entitlement”.
Furthermore, the sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, when he will become the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Was the Reaction?
While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The republican advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be divested of every honor and his military position and should undergo a criminal investigation. Not using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”
