🔗 Share this article The Reasons the Duke of York Has Surrendered His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family In a statement issued via Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has declared that he will be relinquishing his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Below is an overview of what has been revealed – and what remains unchanged. What Did the Prince Announced? Having already withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “title or the awards which have been conferred upon” him. But he also employed the announcement to emphatically denying – as he has always done – the accusations of misconduct 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 firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct. There has existed persistent pressure toward the royal institution over the allegations against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to safeguard his relatives from additional harm resulting from public speculation. Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors? Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in defence of the monarchy. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and country first.” Second, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style title, they essentially become inactive. He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king should he be overseas or unwell. Although royal officials has made clear that, in practice, he would not be asked to fulfil this role. Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems 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 His Entire Honors? To forcibly remove a ducal title would take legislative action, and would constitute such a historic move publicly before the nation – it has not occurred to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely result in further reputational damage for the royals. The prince remains still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the child of the sovereign. This could only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the king. The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the objective of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met. What Does It Mean for Andrew? Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an effective loss of standing he has fought against for years. The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by his brother to encourage Andrew to move out of the 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate. Although limited information has been shed on 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 continual list of scandals involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals. His association with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines following revelations that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication. Additionally, there were reports about his association with a suspected Chinese spy and, recently, extracts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”. Moreover, the sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, when he will become the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that visit to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about his brother. What Has Been the Reaction? Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved. The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He ought to be stripped 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.”