🔗 Share this article Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family In a announcement released via the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Here is an overview of what was revealed – and what wasn't. What Has Andrew Announced? Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now chosen to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been granted to” him. However, he employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit having paid out millions to settle the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct. There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the allegations against Andrew – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to safeguard the royal family from further damage caused by public speculation. Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles? Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in support of the monarchy. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.” Additionally, while he has agreed not to use it, Andrew retains his ducal title, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, they essentially become inactive. He continues to be royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he remains still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king if he is abroad or ill. Although royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role. Nonetheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement indicated the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, privately, the palace pushed for the move in the aim of cutting Andrew loose. Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors? To revoke a ducal title would take an act of parliament, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not happened 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 would only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch. The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, implying the goal of swiftly resolving the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved. What Are the Implications for the Prince? Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The announcement signifies an effective loss of standing he has fought against for a long time. The prince and his former spouse, 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 Windsor Great Park. Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much money the prince has obtained due to his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he was able to secure £15m from the sale of a home that had been a gift from his mother, as an instance. What Prompted This? The continual list of scandals involving Andrew has become unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals. His friendship with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication. There have also been reports about his connections with a suspected Chinese spy and, recently, excerpts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his birthright”. Furthermore, the king is due to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo soon, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew. What Has Been the Response? Although he stated his sister had been “vindicated” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed the Times that the prince's style ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done. The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the action is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He should be stripped of every honor and his military position and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”