🔗 Share this article Why the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Monarchy Through a announcement issued via the royal household, Prince Andrew has declared he is giving up his official honors, including the Duke of York. Below are the details of what was announced – and what wasn't. What Did the Prince Announced? Having already stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has now decided to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “title or the honours which have been conferred upon” him. However, he used the statement to emphatically denying – as he has always done – the allegations of misconduct leveled at him; even though having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – a settlement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of improper conduct. There has existed ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the claims against Andrew – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He now claims that his actions are to safeguard his relatives from additional harm caused by public speculation. Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Honors? No. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it is significant in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to openly state to have acted honourably in support of the monarchy. As he said in his announcement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and country first.” Additionally, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps his ducal title, as well as the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as a member of the prestigious order. Like the HRH royal style title, they essentially become inactive. He remains a prince and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the sovereign should he be overseas or ill. However the palace has indicated that, in practice, he will not be called upon to perform these duties. Nevertheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said the decision was made “in discussion with the monarch”. There seems highly likely that, privately, the palace advocated for the move in the aim of cutting Andrew loose. Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of His Entire Honors? To revoke a dukedom would require an act of parliament, and would constitute such a historic move in full view of the nation – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more reputational damage for the monarchy. Andrew is also still a prince. At his birth in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This would only be changed if a letters patent was issued by the king. The whole process might ultimately being drawn-out, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the issue – at least for the royal family’s purposes – may not be achieved. What Are the Implications for Andrew? Embarrassment, likely above all. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for a long time. The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade Andrew to relocate of the thirty-room Crown Estate property in the Windsor estate. Although limited information has been shed on exactly how much funds Andrew has received due to his position, he remains a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a property that had been a gift from the queen, as an instance. Why Now? The seemingly endless list of scandals involving Andrew has become intolerable for the monarch and other senior royals. His friendship with the jailed sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email dispatched months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication. Additionally, there were reports about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, extracts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She alleged the prince “believed that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”. Furthermore, the sovereign is due to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the first English monarch since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be marred by further adverse coverage about Andrew. What Was the Reaction? While he said his sister had been “vindicated” by the move, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “genuine accountability” to be achieved. The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the move is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He should be divested of every honor and his military position and should face a criminal investigation. Refraining from using archaic honors is not a penalty that fits the offences.”