🔗 Share this article The Reasons the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Official Titles – and the Implications for the Royal Family In a announcement released by the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is giving up his official honors, including the Duke of York. Here are the details of what was revealed – and what wasn't. What Has the Prince Said? After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “go a step further” and consent to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been conferred upon” him. But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to settle 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 existed ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the claims against Andrew – particularly after his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect the royal family from additional harm resulting from public speculation. Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors? No. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it holds importance in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As stated in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and country first.” Additionally, although he consented to abstain from using it, Andrew retains his ducal title, along with the honors his earldom and his barony and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Similar to the royal style honorific, they are effectively dormant. He remains royalty and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is abroad or ill. However the palace has indicated that, realistically, he will not be called upon to perform these duties. Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated the decision was made “following talks with the king”. It appears little doubt that, behind the scenes, the royal household pushed for the move in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew. Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors? To forcibly remove a dukedom would take legislative action, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it could cause more harm to the image for the royals. The prince remains a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he became as the son of a monarch. This would only be changed if a letters patent was issued by the reigning monarch. The whole process could end up being drawn-out, meaning the goal of swiftly resolving the matter – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met. What Does It Mean for Andrew? Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement signifies an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for a long time. The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to encourage his brother to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate. While little light has been revealed about exactly how much money the prince has obtained due to his position, he remains a wealthy individual. In 2007, he was able to raise £15m by selling a property that had been a gift from his mother, for example. Why Now? The continual list of scandals related to the prince has become intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members. His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines following revelations Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication. There have also been stories about his association with a suspected Chinese spy and, recently, extracts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”. Moreover, the sovereign is scheduled to make a historic visit to see the pontiff next week, when he will become the initial British king since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother. What Has Been the Response? Although he stated Giuffre had been “justified” by the decision, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done. The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the action is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be stripped of all titles and his navy rank and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”