🔗 Share this article Why Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Official Titles – and the Implications for the Monarchy Through a statement released by the royal household, the king's brother has confirmed he is giving up his royal titles, including the Duke of York. Below are the details of what was announced – and what remains unchanged. What Has the Prince Announced? After previously stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has now chosen to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “honor or the honours which have been granted to” him. But he also employed the announcement to emphatically rejecting – as he has always done – the allegations of misconduct made against him; even though after settling a substantial sum to settle the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct. There has existed persistent pressure toward the royal institution regarding the allegations against Andrew – especially since his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to safeguard the royal family from additional harm resulting from public speculation. Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Titles? No. And, while this might be viewed 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 monarchy. As he said in his statement: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.” Additionally, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed position as a member of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the royal style honorific, they essentially become dormant. He remains a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he remains still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king should he be abroad or ill. Although the palace has indicated that, in practice, he will not be asked to fulfil this role. Nevertheless, it is telling that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, privately, the palace pushed for the move in the hope of cutting Andrew loose. Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles? To revoke a dukedom would take legislative action, and would represent such a historic move in full view of the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in over a century – that it could result in further harm to the image for the royals. The prince remains still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became such as the son of a monarch. This would only be altered if a letters patent was issued by the reigning monarch. The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved. What Are the Implications for the Prince? Humiliation, probably more than anything else. The statement represents an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for years. The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by his brother to encourage Andrew to move out of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate. Although limited information has been shed on the precise amount of money Andrew has received due to his status, he remains a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a home that had been a wedding present from the queen, for example. Why Now? The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has become intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members. His association with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny following revelations Andrew had told him “we share this situation” in an email sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact. There have also been reports about his connections with a suspected intelligence operative and, recently, excerpts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”. Furthermore, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, during which he will be the first English monarch since Henry VIII split with Rome in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be marred by more negative headlines about his brother. What Was the Response? Although he stated Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that the prince's style should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be done. The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the action is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and misuse of position. He ought to be stripped of every honor and his navy rank and should face a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”