Why the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Royal Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family

Through a statement released via Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has declared that he will be giving up his royal titles, including his dukedom. Here is an overview of what was announced – and what wasn't.

What Has Andrew Said?

After previously withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has currently chosen to “go a step further” and agree not to use the “honor or the honours which have been granted to” him.

However, he used the statement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; even though after settling a substantial sum to resolve 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 persistent pressure on the monarchy over the allegations against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect the royal family from further damage resulting from media scrutiny.

Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?

No. And, while this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: initially, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.”

Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, Andrew retains the dukedom, along with the honors his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed position as a member 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 remains still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign should he be overseas or ill. Although the palace has made clear that, in practice, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.

Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household pushed for this in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.

Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?

To forcibly remove a ducal title would require 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 over a century – that it would likely result in further harm to the image for the royals.

The prince remains a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This would only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.

The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be met.

What Does It Mean for the Prince?

Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The announcement signifies an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for years.

He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by his brother to encourage Andrew to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.

Although limited information has been shed on exactly how much money Andrew has received as a result of his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a property that had been a gift from his mother, as an instance.

What Prompted This?

The continual list of scandals involving Andrew has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals.

His friendship with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication.

There have also been reports about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, extracts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged the prince “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.

Moreover, the king is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew.

What Was the Response?

While he said his sister had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be done.

The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has additionally stated the action is “too little, too late”, noting: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”