🔗 Share this article The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Monarchy In a statement issued by the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be relinquishing his official honors, such as the Duke of York. Here are the details of what has been revealed – and what wasn't. What Has Andrew Announced? Having already withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has currently chosen to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him. However, he employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at him; even though after settling millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied any claims of wrongdoing. There has been persistent pressure toward the royal institution regarding the allegations against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to safeguard his relatives from further damage resulting from media scrutiny. Has the King Removed Him of His Honors? Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and country first.” Additionally, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH royal style title, they are effectively dormant. He continues to be a prince 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 overseas or ill. However royal officials has indicated that, realistically, he would not be called upon to perform these duties. Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement said this choice was made “following talks with the king”. There seems highly likely that, privately, the royal household advocated for this in the aim of cutting Andrew loose. Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors? To forcibly remove a ducal title would require an act of parliament, and would constitute such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more harm to the image for the monarchy. Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he became such as the son of a monarch. This would only be changed if a royal decree was issued by the king. The whole process could end up being protracted, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the matter – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met. What Are the Implications for the Prince? Humiliation, likely above all. The statement signifies an effective loss of status he has resisted for a long time. He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to encourage his brother to relocate of the 30-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate. While little light has been revealed about exactly how much funds the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he continues to be a person of means. In 2007, he was able to raise £15m from the sale of a home that had been a gift from his mother, as an instance. What Prompted This? The seemingly endless series of controversies related to the prince has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals. His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ceased contact. There have also been stories about his association with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”. Furthermore, the king is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the initial British king since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about his brother. What Was the Response? While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, her sibling 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 additionally stated the action is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be divested of all titles and his military position and should undergo a criminal investigation. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that fits the offences.”