🔗 Share this article The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Monarchy In a statement issued by the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed that he will be giving up his official honors, including his dukedom. Here are the details of what was announced – and what remains unchanged. What Did Andrew Said? After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has now chosen to “go a step further” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him. However, he used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the allegations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit after settling a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct. There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the claims involving the prince – especially since his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to safeguard the royal family from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny. Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors? Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As stated in his statement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and country first.” Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, Andrew retains his ducal title, along with the honors his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Similar to the His Royal Highness title, they are effectively inactive. He continues to be 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 king should he be abroad or ill. However royal officials has made clear that, in practice, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role. Nonetheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said the decision was made “in discussion with the king”. There seems little doubt that, privately, the royal household advocated for this in the aim of cutting Andrew loose. Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles? To revoke a ducal title would take an act of parliament, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the public – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it could result in further reputational damage for the royals. The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This could only be changed if a royal decree was enacted by the king. The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, implying the goal of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met. What Does It Mean for the Prince? Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an substantial reduction of standing he has fought against for a long time. He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by his brother to encourage his brother to relocate of the 30-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park. Although limited information has been revealed about the precise amount of money the prince has obtained due to his position, he continues to be a person of means. In 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of 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 become intolerable for the king and other senior royals. His association with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication. Additionally, there were reports about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, excerpts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”. Moreover, the sovereign is due to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, during which he will be the first English monarch since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and head of the Catholic church. He would not desire that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew. What Was the Reaction? Although he stated Giuffre had been “justified” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told the Times that the prince's style ought to be removed for “genuine accountability” to be achieved. The republican campaign group Republic has also said the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and abuse of office. He should be divested 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.”