While there’s been ongoing chatter about the possibility of Prince Andrew losing his royal titles, insiders suggest neither King Charles nor Prince William is eager to push the issue.
Andrew’s public image has suffered greatly in recent years, but formally stripping him of the Dukedom of York could lead to something the royals are keen to avoid — a political and parliamentary showdown.
The Complicated Path to Removing a Dukedom
Although the King can personally remove certain honors, such as the Order of the Garter, taking away a dukedom is another matter entirely. That authority rests with Parliament. Back in 2022, after many York residents expressed discomfort over their city’s association with Andrew, a private member’s bill proposed giving the monarch the power to revoke titles. The measure failed to advance.
If the government were to support a similar bill in the future, the odds of success would increase significantly. Should that happen, Andrew’s name could be removed from the official Roll of the Peerage, where it currently appears under “York,” The Telegraph reported.
A Title That Could Fade Naturally
Some observers believe the matter will resolve itself over time. When Andrew dies, the Dukedom of York will revert to the Crown unless it is reissued. At 65, the Duke has remained a quiet but persistent challenge for the monarchy since his disastrous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He soon withdrew from public duties and relinquished his military patronages, yet his titles — most notably “Duke of York” — remain.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams noted that removing Andrew’s dukedom is far from straightforward. “To remove Andrew’s Dukedom would require an Act of Parliament,” he told The Royal Insider. He pointed to the Titles Deprivation Act of 1917, which was used to strip enemy peers of British titles during wartime.
“The royal family would not welcome being debated in Parliament,” Fitzwilliams added. “I do not think the monarch would willingly open it up to parliamentary scrutiny. It would be a huge news story.”
Renewed Scrutiny Amid a Difficult Time for the Monarchy
Fitzwilliams’s comments come in the wake of Entitled, a revealing biography by royal author Andrew Lownie. The book, recently excerpted in the Daily Mail, makes serious allegations about Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, reigniting debate over whether the monarchy should further distance itself from the scandal-embroiled duke.
The timing is particularly sensitive. King Charles is undergoing cancer treatment, and Prince William is already burdened with increased royal responsibilities. One Palace source admitted, “Something still needs to be done,” though it appears the issue is being deferred for now.
Further complicating matters, Andrew is not easily removed from his Windsor home. He holds a long-term lease with the Crown Estate for Royal Lodge, and as long as he can cover the costly upkeep — reportedly running into the millions — he has a legal right to remain there.