Why the Duke of York is Giving Up His Royal Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family

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

What Has Andrew Announced?

After previously withdrawn as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now decided to “go a step further” and consent to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been granted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

However, he employed the announcement to emphatically denying – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of wrongdoing.

There has existed persistent pressure toward the royal institution regarding the claims involving the prince – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect his relatives from additional harm caused by public speculation.

Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Titles?

Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the monarchy. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and country first.”

Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps the dukedom, along with the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively dormant.

He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king if he is abroad or ill. Although the palace has made clear that, in practice, he would not be called upon to fulfil this role.

Nevertheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears little doubt that, privately, 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 dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely result in further harm to the image for the royals.

The prince remains still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This would only be altered if a letters patent was issued by the king.

The whole process might ultimately being protracted, meaning the objective of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be achieved.

What Are the Implications for the Prince?

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

He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite rumoured attempts by the king to encourage his brother to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.

While little light has been shed on the precise amount of funds the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he was able to raise £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from his mother, as an instance.

What Prompted This?

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

His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines after it emerged Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact.

Additionally, there were stories about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, this week, excerpts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed the prince “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”.

Moreover, the king is due to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo 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 trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.

What Has Been the Response?

Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done.

The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be divested of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”