🔗 Share this article The Reasons the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family Through a announcement released by the royal household, Prince Andrew has declared that he will be giving up his official honors, including his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what wasn't. What Has Andrew Said? After previously withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has currently decided to “take additional measures” and agree to refrain from using the “title or the awards which have been granted to” him. But he also used the statement to make a point of rejecting – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of misconduct leveled at him; even though having paid out a substantial sum to settle the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied any claims of improper conduct. There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution over the allegations against Andrew – particularly after his disastrous 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 Honors? No. And, while this could be dismissed as a simple procedure, it is significant in multiple ways: first, it enables the prince to openly state to have behaved with integrity in defence of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.” Second, although he consented not to use it, Andrew retains the dukedom, 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 His Royal Highness title, they are effectively dormant. He continues to be a prince and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king should he be overseas or ill. Although the palace has indicated that, realistically, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role. Nevertheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement indicated this choice was made “in discussion with the monarch”. There seems little doubt that, privately, the palace pushed for the move in the hope of cutting Andrew loose. Why Hasn’t He Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors? To forcibly remove a dukedom would require legislative action, and would constitute an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in more than 100 years – that it could result in further harm to the image for the royals. Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he became such as the son of a monarch. This could only be altered if a royal decree was enacted by the king. The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, implying the goal of quickly addressing the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved. What Does It Mean for the Prince? Humiliation, likely above all. The statement signifies an effective loss of standing he has fought against for a long time. He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding reported efforts by his brother to persuade Andrew to move out of the 30-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park. While little light has been shed on exactly how much funds the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a property that had been a wedding present 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 association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication. There have also been reports about his association with a suspected Chinese spy and, this week, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”. Moreover, the king is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, during which he will be the first English monarch since Henry VIII 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 Response? While he said his sister had been “justified” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts informed a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “true justice” to be achieved. The republican 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 divested of every honor and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using archaic honors is not a penalty that matches the accusations.”