The Reasons Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family

In a statement released via the royal household, Prince Andrew has declared he is relinquishing his official honors, such as his dukedom. Below is an overview of what was revealed – and what wasn't.

What Did Andrew Said?

After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now decided to “go a step further” and consent not to use the “title or the awards which have been granted to” him.

But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit after settling millions to settle the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected all allegations of improper conduct.

There has existed ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution over the claims involving the prince – particularly after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect his relatives from additional harm caused by media scrutiny.

Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?

No. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it holds importance in two respects: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the monarchy. As stated in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my family and country first.”

Second, while he has agreed not to use it, Andrew retains the dukedom, as well as the honors his earldom and his barony and the esteemed position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness title, they are effectively dormant.

He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king should he be abroad or ill. However the palace has made clear that, realistically, he will not be called upon to perform these duties.

Nevertheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said the decision was made “in discussion with the monarch”. It appears little doubt that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for the move in the aim of cutting Andrew loose.

Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?

To forcibly remove a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would constitute an unprecedented step publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a senior royal in over a century – that it could result in further reputational damage for the royals.

Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he became such as the child of the sovereign. This could only be changed if a letters patent was issued by the reigning monarch.

The whole process could end up being drawn-out, implying the objective of quickly addressing the matter – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be achieved.

What Does It Mean for Andrew?

Humiliation, likely above all. The statement represents an substantial reduction of standing he has fought against for a long time.

The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to encourage his brother to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate.

While little light has been shed on exactly how much money 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 his mother, as an instance.

Why Now?

The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the king and other high-ranking family members.

His association with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged 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 connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, extracts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his entitlement”.

Furthermore, the sovereign is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth 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 marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.

What Was the Reaction?

Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved.

The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He should be stripped of all titles and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”