🔗 Share this article Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family In a statement released by the royal household, Prince Andrew has declared he is relinquishing his official honors, including the Duke of York. Below are the details of what was announced – and what remains unchanged. What Did Andrew Said? Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now decided to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been granted to” him. But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though after settling millions 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 wrongdoing. There has existed persistent pressure on the monarchy over the allegations against Andrew – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to safeguard his relatives from further damage resulting from public speculation. Has the King Removed Him of His Honors? No. And although this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in defence of the monarchy. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.” Additionally, although he consented not to use it, Andrew retains his ducal title, as well as the honors his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH royal style honorific, they are effectively dormant. He remains royalty and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is abroad or unwell. However the palace has made clear that, realistically, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role. Nonetheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement indicated the decision was made “in discussion with the king”. It appears little doubt that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for this in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew. Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors? To forcibly remove a dukedom would require legislative action, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it would likely result in further reputational damage for the monarchy. Andrew is also 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 issued by the reigning monarch. The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, meaning the goal of swiftly resolving the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved. What Does It Mean for the Prince? Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for a long time. He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to encourage Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate. Although limited information has been shed on the precise amount of money Andrew has received due to his status, he remains a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example. Why Now? The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the king and other senior royals. His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines following revelations that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact. There have also been reports about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”. Furthermore, the king is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the initial British king since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that trip to be overshadowed by more negative headlines about Andrew. What Has Been the Response? While he said his sister had been “vindicated” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “true justice” to be achieved. The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He should be stripped of every honor and his military position and should undergo a criminal investigation. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that fits the offences.”