🔗 Share this article Why Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family In a statement issued via Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has confirmed that he will be relinquishing his official honors, including the Duke of York. Here is an overview of what has been revealed – and what wasn't. What Has the Prince Said? After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has currently decided to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “title or the awards which have been conferred upon” him. However, he employed the announcement to make a point of denying – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit after settling millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and strongly rejected all allegations of improper conduct. There has existed persistent pressure toward the royal institution regarding the allegations involving the prince – especially since his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to safeguard his relatives from further damage resulting from media scrutiny. Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Honors? Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it holds importance in two respects: initially, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and the nation first.” Additionally, although he consented to abstain from using it, Andrew retains his ducal title, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the prestigious Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style honorific, they essentially become inactive. He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and can stand in for the king if he is overseas or unwell. However royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role. Nonetheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the king”. It appears little doubt that, privately, the royal household pushed for this in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew. Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors? To forcibly remove a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it could cause more harm to the image for the royals. The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This would only be changed if a letters patent was issued by the king. The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the goal of quickly addressing the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met. What Does It Mean for the Prince? Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of standing he has fought against for a long time. He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to persuade Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park. Although limited information has been shed on exactly how much funds the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £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 become intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members. His association with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact. Additionally, there were reports about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed the prince “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”. Furthermore, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff next week, during which he will be the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother. What Has Been the Response? While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told the Times that the prince's style should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done. The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be divested of all titles and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a penalty that fits the offences.”