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

In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has confirmed he is relinquishing his official honors, such as his dukedom. Here is an overview of what has been announced – and what wasn't.

What Did the Prince Announced?

After previously withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now decided to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.

But he also employed the announcement to emphatically denying – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; even though having paid out a substantial sum 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 wrongdoing.

There has existed ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution over the claims against Andrew – especially since his disastrous television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to safeguard his relatives from additional harm caused by media scrutiny.

Has the King Removed Him of His Titles?

No. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As stated in his announcement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”

Second, while he has agreed not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the honors his earldom and his barony and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Like the HRH His Royal Highness title, they essentially become inactive.

He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king should he be overseas or unwell. Although royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he will not be called upon to perform these duties.

Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, behind the scenes, the palace advocated 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 constitute such a historic move publicly before the nation – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely cause more harm to the image for the monarchy.

The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be altered if a royal decree was issued by the reigning monarch.

The whole process could end up being drawn-out, implying the goal of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be achieved.

What Does It Mean for Andrew?

Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an effective loss of status he has resisted for a long time.

He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by the king to encourage his brother to relocate of the 30-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park.

While little light has been revealed about the precise amount of funds the prince has obtained due to his status, he continues to be a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m by selling a property that had been a wedding present from his mother, for example.

What Prompted This?

The seemingly endless list of scandals related to the prince has proved intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.

His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny following revelations that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.

Additionally, there were reports about his connections with a suspected Chinese spy and, this week, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged the prince “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.

Moreover, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by more negative headlines about his brother.

What Has Been the Response?

While he said his sister had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done.

The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, noting: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be stripped of every honor and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”