🔗 Share this article Why Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family Through a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has declared that he will be giving up his official honors, including the Duke of York. Below is an overview of what has been announced – and what wasn't. What Has Andrew Announced? 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 “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him. However, he employed the announcement to make a point of denying – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit having paid out millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing. There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the allegations involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect his relatives from further damage caused by media scrutiny. Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Honors? No. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have decided, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my family and country first.” Second, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness title, they are effectively dormant. He remains royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he remains still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is overseas or unwell. However the palace has made clear that, realistically, he will not be called upon to perform these duties. Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement said the decision was made “in discussion with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for the move in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew. Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of All of His Titles? To forcibly remove a ducal title would require legislative action, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not occurred to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely cause more reputational damage for the royals. Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a royal decree was enacted by the reigning monarch. The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be achieved. What Does It Mean for Andrew? Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an effective loss of status he has resisted for years. The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by the king to persuade his brother to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate. Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much funds Andrew has received as a result of his position, he continues to be a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance. Why Now? The continual list of scandals related to the prince has become intolerable for the king and other senior royals. His friendship with the convicted 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 a message dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication. Additionally, there were reports about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”. Moreover, the king is due to make a historic visit to see the pontiff next week, during which he will be the initial British king after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about his brother. What Has Been the Reaction? While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done. The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. 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 punishment that fits the offences.”