🔗 Share this article The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Monarchy Through a statement released via the royal household, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Below are the details of what was revealed – and what remains unchanged. What Did the Prince Announced? Having already withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “take additional measures” and consent to refrain from using the “honor or the honours which have been granted to” him. But he also used the statement to make a point of denying – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; even though after settling millions to settle the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied any claims of wrongdoing. There has existed ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy over the allegations against Andrew – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims he is acting to safeguard the royal family from additional harm resulting from media scrutiny. Has the King Removed Him of His Honors? No. And, while this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in two respects: first, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in defence of the monarchy. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, consistent with my past, to prioritize my obligations to my family and country first.” Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style honorific, they essentially become inactive. He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is abroad or unwell. However the palace has made clear that, realistically, he will not be asked to fulfil this role. Nevertheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement indicated the decision was made “in discussion with the king”. It appears little doubt that, behind the scenes, the palace advocated for this in the aim of cutting Andrew loose. Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors? To revoke a ducal title would take legislative action, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the nation – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it could result in further harm to the image for the monarchy. The prince remains still a prince. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a letters patent was issued by the king. The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, implying the objective of quickly addressing the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met. What Does It Mean for Andrew? Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of standing he has resisted for years. The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, despite reported efforts by his brother to encourage Andrew to move out of the 30-room Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park. While little light has been shed on exactly how much funds the prince has obtained due to his position, he continues to be a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a home that had been a gift from his mother, for example. What Prompted This? The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the king and other senior royals. His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication. There have also been reports about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged the prince “believed that having sex with me was his birthright”. Furthermore, the sovereign is due to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo soon, during which he will be the first English monarch since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother. What Has Been the Response? While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved. The republican advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be divested of every honor and his navy rank and should undergo a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”