Why Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy
Through a announcement issued via Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has confirmed he is relinquishing his official honors, including his dukedom. Here is an overview of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Has Andrew Said?
Having already stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has currently decided to “take additional measures” and consent to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.
However, he used the statement to make a point of rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit after settling millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of improper conduct.
There has existed persistent pressure on the monarchy over the claims involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to safeguard the royal family from additional harm caused by public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?
Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and country first.”
Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, as well as the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed 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 the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the sovereign if he is abroad or ill. Although royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he will not be asked to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for the move in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would require legislative action, 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 result in further reputational damage for the royals.
The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically as the child of the sovereign. This could only be altered if a letters patent was issued by the king.
The whole process could end up being protracted, implying the goal of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications for Andrew?
Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The announcement signifies an substantial reduction of standing he has resisted for a long time.
He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by the king to persuade Andrew to relocate of the 30-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.
While little light has been shed on exactly how much funds the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he was able to raise £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, for example.
Why Now?
The continual series of controversies related to the prince has proved unacceptable for the king and other senior royals.
His friendship with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines following revelations that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were reports about his association with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, extracts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed the prince “believed that having sex with me was his entitlement”.
Furthermore, the sovereign 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 pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be marred by more negative headlines about his brother.
What Has Been the Response?
Although he stated his sister had been “vindicated” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be achieved.
The republican campaign group Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. 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 fits the offences.”
