🔗 Share this article Why the Duke of York is Giving Up His Official Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy In a statement released via the royal household, the king's brother has declared that he will be giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Here is an overview of what has been announced – and what remains unchanged. What Did Andrew Said? After previously withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has now decided to “go a step further” and consent to refrain from using the “title or the awards which have been granted to” him. However, he employed the announcement to make a point of rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of misconduct made against him; albeit after settling a substantial sum to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct. There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the claims involving the prince – particularly after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to safeguard the royal family from further damage caused by media scrutiny. Did the Monarch Removed Him of His Honors? Not at all. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it holds importance in two respects: first, 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 family and the nation first.” Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, Andrew retains the dukedom, as well as the honors his earldom and his barony and the prestigious position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style title, they are effectively inactive. He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is abroad or unwell. However royal officials has indicated that, in practice, he will not be called upon to perform these duties. Nonetheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the king”. There seems highly likely that, privately, the royal household pushed for this in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew. Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of All of His Titles? To revoke a ducal title would take an act of parliament, and would represent such a historic move in full view of the public – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more harm to the image for the royals. Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the child of the sovereign. This could only be changed if a royal decree was issued by the reigning monarch. The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be achieved. What Are the Implications for the Prince? Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement signifies an effective loss of standing he has fought against for a long time. He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade Andrew to move out of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate. While little light has been revealed about the precise amount of funds Andrew has received as a result of his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m by selling a property that had been a wedding present from the queen, as an instance. Why Now? The continual series of controversies related to the prince has become intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members. His association with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines following revelations Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication. Additionally, there were stories about his association with a suspected Chinese spy and, recently, extracts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”. Moreover, the king is scheduled to make a historic visit to see the pontiff soon, when he will become the initial British king since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew. What Was the Reaction? While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done. The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains accused of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that fits the offences.”