The Reasons Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Royal Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family

In a statement released by the royal household, Prince Andrew has declared he is relinquishing his royal titles, including his dukedom. Here is an overview of what has been announced – and what remains unchanged.

What Has the Prince Announced?

After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “go a step further” and consent to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been conferred upon” him.

But he also used the statement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the allegations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; albeit after settling millions to resolve 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 been persistent pressure toward the royal institution over the claims 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 public speculation.

Has the King Stripped Him of His Honors?

No. And although this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it is significant in two respects: initially, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and country first.”

Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, Andrew retains the dukedom, along with the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious Garter role as a member of the prestigious order. Similar to the royal style title, they are effectively dormant.

He continues to be royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is abroad or unwell. Although royal officials has indicated that, realistically, he would not be asked to perform these duties.

Nevertheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement indicated the decision was made “following talks with the king”. There seems highly likely that, privately, the palace pushed for the move in the aim of distancing the institution from Andrew.

Why Hasn’t He Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?

To revoke a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would constitute an unprecedented step in full view of the nation – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it would likely cause more harm to the image for the royals.

The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became such as the child of the sovereign. This could only be altered if a letters patent was enacted by the reigning monarch.

The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, implying the goal of quickly addressing the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be met.

What Are the Implications for the Prince?

Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement represents an effective loss of standing he has fought against for a long time.

He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, despite reported efforts by his brother to encourage Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate.

Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much funds Andrew has received as a result of 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 gift from his mother, as an instance.

Why Now?

The seemingly endless list of scandals related to the prince has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals.

His friendship with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny following revelations that the prince stated to him “we share this situation” in a message dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.

Additionally, there were stories about his association with a suspected intelligence operative and, this week, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”.

Furthermore, the king is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that visit to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about his brother.

What Has Been the Reaction?

Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed the Times that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved.

The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be divested of all titles and his navy rank and should undergo a legal probe. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that fits the offences.”