The Real Reason Charles Hasn’t Stripped Andrew of His Prince Title After His ‘Toxic’ Brother Lost His Duke of York Role
King Charles held off for as long as he could making a decision on his controversial brother, Prince Andrew. Queen Elizabeth demoted him as a senior royal back in 2022 after a disastrous interview where he failed to denounce Epstein, but Prince Andrew still held his titles and made appearances with the royal family until recently, when he announced he would not be using his titles and honors. But some have wondered if that goes far enough.
Andrew, after all, is still styled as Prince. And though he will no longer use his Duke of York title, he got to make that announcement himself, instead of having his title stripped. But why is Andrew still a Prince?
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The answer is that removing that tile would require an act of parliament. In general, the crown and Parliament stay out of each other’s business. That means at this point, the government considers the decision to strip Andrew of his titles should be made by the King. Buckingham Palace, meanwhile, says it would be improper for the king to take a position on a parliamentary act that would come to him for royal assent. It’s a chicken-and-egg situation. And one that people would like to see solved soon.
“The argument that this is purely a matter for the royal family will not wash,” Vernon Bogdanor, an expert on the constitutional monarchy at King’s College London, told the New York Times. “Our monarchy since 1689 has been a parliamentary one. It exists only so long as Parliament, representing the people, want it to continue.”
He also said that, perhaps, the biggest hurdle to the government getting involved is that Prince Andrew has not been convicted of a crime. Andrew settled a lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre without acknowledging any wrongdoing. And though the scandals continue, the government might feel that’s not enough.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Friday, Oct. 17, Prince Andrew said, “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family,” and added, “With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.”
But he has no actually lost either the dukedom or the title of Prince, as he is entitled to them under the Letters Patent, issued by King George V. Basically, it says that the title of prince or princess is granted to the child of a monarch, the child of the sons of a monarch, and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales, the heir to the throne.
It is possible to amend the Letters Patent, but this is considered a huge step that would require the King and government to be in agreement, something that has yet to happen. But as British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News, if King Charles doesn’t take this step, Prince William might.
“He recognizes the public animosity towards Andrew. He views him as a complete liability with his series of scandals, both past and present, shoveling shame on the family. His stance towards his uncle is tough. He will not entertain anyone toxic to the brand. Andrew will not be part of the streamlined monarchy.”
One way or another, it seems like the royal family is done giving Andrew a pass for his multiple controversies.
