Why the Duke of York Has Surrendered His Royal Titles – and What It Means for the Monarchy
Through a announcement released by the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is relinquishing his royal titles, such as the Duke of York. Here are the details of what has been revealed – and what wasn't.
What Did the Prince Announced?
Having already withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now decided to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him.
However, he used the statement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the allegations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit having paid out millions to settle the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and strongly rejected all allegations of wrongdoing.
There has existed ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the allegations involving the prince – particularly after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to protect the royal family from further damage resulting from public speculation.
Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles?
No. And although this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the monarchy. As he said in his announcement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”
Second, although he consented not to use it, Andrew retains the dukedom, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious Garter role as a member of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style title, they essentially become inactive.
He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign should he be overseas or ill. However the palace has made clear that, in practice, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.
Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “in discussion with the king”. There seems little doubt that, privately, the royal household pushed for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.
Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?
To forcibly remove a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could result in further harm to the image for the monarchy.
Andrew is also still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This would only be changed if a letters patent was issued by the reigning monarch.
The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.
What Are the Implications for the Prince?
Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for years.
The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by his brother to encourage Andrew to move out of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.
Although limited information has been shed on exactly how much money Andrew has received due to his status, he continues to be a person of means. In 2007, he was able to raise £15m by selling a property that had been a gift from his mother, for example.
Why Now?
The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the king and other high-ranking family members.
His association with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in a message sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication.
Additionally, there were stories about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.
Moreover, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the initial British king after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.
What Has Been the Response?
While he said his sister had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done.
The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be stripped of all titles and his military position and should face a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that fits the offences.”