Prince Andrew is once again in the spotlight as fresh calls emerge for him to be stripped of his titles. The Duke of York has faced years of controversy, and a new biography has further damaged his already fragile reputation.
The biography paints an unflattering picture of Prince Andrew, adding to the chorus of criticism surrounding him since stepping away from royal duties in 2019. Public opinion is growing increasingly hostile, with a majority of Britons now believing the prince should lose his Duke of York title and even his princely status.
Andrew’s troubles began when his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to light. The scandal quickly engulfed him, leading to his withdrawal from public duties and sparking a dramatic fall from grace within the royal family.
Since then, Prince Andrew has faced a steady stream of consequences. He was stripped of his military appointments, forced to surrender royal patronages, and saw his security costs cut off by King Charles. Despite these measures, critics say it has not been enough to repair the monarchy’s damaged reputation.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes Andrew’s best path forward is to remain quiet. She suggested he should “lie low, enjoy the immensely privileged lifestyle he still has, embrace his family life, and do as his brother asks.”
Bond added that Andrew should “forego the protocol of walking in order of precedence and fade quietly into the background. In other words: show a bit of humility, Andrew, because we haven’t seen a shred of it yet.” Her blunt assessment reflects the frustration many feel about his continued presence within the royal fold.
The question of Andrew’s titles remains one of the most contentious issues. Legally, removing the Duke of York title would require an act of Parliament. It is a complicated process that would need political will and support.
His princely status, however, could be challenged by King Charles through a Letters Patent, the same legal mechanism used in the past to define royal titles. Such a move would be unprecedented in modern times and would mark a dramatic shift in how the monarchy addresses scandals.
Despite this possibility, Jennie Bond expressed doubts that the King would go so far. She believes Andrew has already paid a heavy price by losing his roles and facing lifelong public disgrace. However, she acknowledged that opinion polls show the public remains overwhelmingly opposed to him retaining any formal recognition.
Polls consistently reveal that Prince Andrew is among the least popular members of the royal family. Many believe his continued association with titles undermines the monarchy’s credibility at a time when King Charles is striving to modernize and strengthen the institution.
The Duke of York’s personal missteps continue to overshadow other members of the royal family. Prince William has already signaled that he wants a monarchy free from scandal when his time comes to reign, and Andrew’s situation could play a pivotal role in shaping future royal reforms.
Some insiders argue that King Charles has little appetite for reigniting a bitter public debate by pushing Parliament to act. However, others claim that leaving the matter unresolved could harm the monarchy in the long run, especially among younger generations who are demanding accountability.
Meanwhile, Andrew continues to live a life of privilege despite his diminished status. Residing at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, he has largely withdrawn from public life but remains under scrutiny from the press and the public. His rare appearances at family gatherings often reignite debates about whether he should still be present at official occasions.
As the controversy lingers, one thing is clear that Prince Andrew’s reputation has been irreparably damaged. Whether or not he loses his titles, his role in the royal family has been permanently diminished, and his name remains synonymous with scandal.
For King Charles, the challenge lies in balancing loyalty to his brother with the public’s growing demand for accountability. The decision about Andrew’s titles could prove to be one of the most defining tests of his reign.
