🔗 Share this article The Reasons the Duke of York Has Relinquished His Official Titles – and What It Means for the Royal Family Through a announcement released via the royal household, the king's brother has declared he is giving up his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Below are the details of what has been revealed – and what wasn't. What Did the Prince Said? Having already stepped down as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, Andrew has now chosen to “take additional measures” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been conferred upon” him. However, he used the statement to make a point of denying – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; even though after settling millions 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 existed ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution regarding the claims involving the prince – especially since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to protect his relatives from further damage resulting from media scrutiny. Has the King Removed Him of His Honors? Not at all. And although this might be viewed as a simple procedure, it holds importance in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in support of the crown. As he said in his announcement: “I have decided, consistent with my past, to put my duty to my relatives and country first.” Second, while he has agreed not to use it, Andrew retains the dukedom, along with the titles his earldom and Baron Killyleagh and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH His Royal Highness honorific, they essentially become inactive. He remains royalty and eighth in the line of succession. In theory, he remains a potential stand-in for the monarch – and may deputize for the king should he be overseas or unwell. Although the palace has indicated that, in practice, he will not be called upon to perform these duties. Nonetheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated the decision was made “in discussion with the king”. There seems little doubt that, behind the scenes, the palace advocated for this 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 require legislative action, and would represent such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not occurred to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it could result in further reputational damage for the monarchy. Andrew is also a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be changed if a royal decree was issued by the reigning monarch. The entire procedure might ultimately being protracted, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the matter – particularly for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be met. What Does It Mean for Andrew? Humiliation, likely above all. The announcement represents an substantial reduction of status he has resisted for a long time. He and his ex-wife, Sarah, continue to reside in their Windsor residence, despite rumoured attempts by his brother to persuade Andrew to relocate of the 30-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park. Although limited information has been revealed about exactly how much funds the prince has obtained as a result of his position, he remains a person of means. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m by selling a home that had been a gift from his mother, for example. What Prompted This? The seemingly endless series of controversies related to the prince has become unacceptable for the monarch and other senior royals. His friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again in the headlines following revelations that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact. There have also been reports about his connections with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, extracts appeared from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “believed that having sex with me was his entitlement”. Furthermore, the king is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff soon, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that trip to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew. What Has Been the Response? While he said Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that the prince's style should be revoked for “true justice” to be done. The republican campaign group Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, noting: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He should be stripped of all titles and his navy rank and should face a legal probe. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”