🔗 Share this article Why the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family Through a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be giving up his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Here are the details of what has been revealed – and what wasn't. What Has the Prince Said? After previously withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has currently decided to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “title or the awards which have been granted to” him. However, he used the statement to emphatically rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; albeit having paid out millions to settle the civil sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected any claims of wrongdoing. There has been persistent pressure on the monarchy regarding the allegations against Andrew – particularly after his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to protect his relatives from additional harm caused by media scrutiny. Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles? Not at all. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the monarchy. As stated in his statement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.” Additionally, although he consented to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style title, they essentially become dormant. He continues to be royalty and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king if he is abroad or ill. Although royal officials has indicated that, realistically, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role. Nevertheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement said the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, behind the scenes, the royal household pushed for this in the hope of cutting Andrew loose. Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of All of His Titles? To forcibly remove a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would represent an unprecedented step publicly before the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more harm to the image for the royals. Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the son of a monarch. This would only be altered if a royal decree was enacted by the reigning monarch. The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, implying the goal of swiftly resolving the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – may not be met. What Does It Mean for the Prince? Embarrassment, likely above all. The statement represents an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for a long time. He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in Royal Lodge, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to encourage Andrew to move out of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate. Although limited information has been shed on exactly how much money Andrew has received 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 property that had been a gift from the queen, as an instance. What Prompted This? The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has proved intolerable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members. His association with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines following revelations Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication. Additionally, there were reports about his connections with an alleged Chinese spy and, this week, extracts were published 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 sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth 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 overshadowed by more negative headlines about Andrew. What Was the Reaction? Although he stated Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “true justice” to be achieved. The republican campaign group Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He ought to be stripped of all titles and his military position and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that fits the offences.”