🔗 Share this article Why Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Royal Honors – and the Implications for the Royal Family Through a announcement issued by Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has confirmed he is relinquishing his official honors, including his dukedom. Below is an overview of what was revealed – and what wasn't. What Did the Prince Said? After previously stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now decided to “go a step further” and consent to refrain from using the “title or the honours which have been conferred upon” 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; albeit having paid out a substantial sum to settle the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing. There has existed persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the claims against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to safeguard his relatives from further damage caused by media scrutiny. Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Honors? No. And, while this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it holds importance in multiple ways: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in support of the monarchy. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.” Second, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style honorific, they essentially become dormant. He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the sovereign if he is abroad or ill. However the palace has indicated that, realistically, he will not be asked to perform these duties. Nonetheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement said this choice was made “in discussion with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for this in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew. Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles? To forcibly remove a ducal title would take an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step 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. Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This would only be changed if a royal decree was enacted by the king. The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the monarchy's interests – may not be met. What Are the Implications for Andrew? Humiliation, likely above all. The statement signifies an effective loss of status he has resisted for a long time. The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by the king to persuade Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room royal residence in the Windsor estate. Although limited information has been shed on the precise amount of funds Andrew has received due to his position, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from the queen, as an instance. What Prompted This? The continual series of controversies involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the king and other high-ranking family members. His association with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in a message sent three months after he claimed to have ended communication. Additionally, there were stories about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, recently, extracts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his entitlement”. Furthermore, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo soon, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew. What Has Been the Reaction? Although he stated his sister had been “justified” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved. The anti-monarchist campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He should be divested of all titles and his navy rank and should face a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”