🔗 Share this article Why Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Official Honors – and What It Means for the Monarchy In a statement released via Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has declared he is giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Here are the details of what was announced – and what remains unchanged. What Did Andrew Said? Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “take additional measures” and consent not to use the “honor or the honours 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; even though after settling millions to settle the legal claim filed by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied any claims of wrongdoing. There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the allegations involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to safeguard the royal family from additional harm caused by media scrutiny. Has the King Removed Him of His Honors? No. And although this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it is significant in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have behaved with integrity in support of the crown. As he said in his statement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and the nation first.” Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps the dukedom, as well as the titles the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed Garter role as a member of the prestigious order. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they essentially become inactive. He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king should he be abroad or ill. However the palace has indicated that, realistically, he would not be called upon to perform these duties. Nevertheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, behind the scenes, the royal household advocated for the move in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew. Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of His Entire Honors? To forcibly remove a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would constitute an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could result in further harm to the image for the monarchy. Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically as the son of a monarch. This could only be changed if a royal decree was enacted by the reigning monarch. The entire procedure might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved. What Are the Implications for Andrew? Embarrassment, likely above all. The announcement signifies an effective loss of status he has fought against for a long time. He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to encourage his brother to move out of the 30-room royal residence in the Windsor estate. Although limited information has been shed on exactly how much funds Andrew has received as a result of his status, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he was able to secure £15m by selling a home that had been a wedding present from the queen, for example. Why Now? The continual series of controversies related to the prince has proved unacceptable for the king and other high-ranking family members. His association with the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact. There have also been reports about his association with an alleged Chinese spy and, recently, excerpts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged the prince “believed that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”. Moreover, the sovereign is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff next week, during which he will be the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to pray publicly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother. What Was the Reaction? Although he stated Giuffre had been “justified” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be done. The republican campaign group Republic has also said the action is “insufficient and delayed”, noting: “The prince continues to be accused of sexual offences and misuse of position. He should be stripped of all titles and his navy rank and should undergo a legal probe. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a penalty that fits the offences.”