Britain’s Prince Andrew has followed in the footsteps of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by abandoning the use of his HRH (His Royal Highness) style, according to former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt. This move marks the third senior royal in two years to relinquish the title, as the British monarchy faces challenges from controversy and changing public perception. Andrew’s removal of the title is expected to cause him significant pain, as he has worn his royal status with pride.
Born with the HRH style, Andrew was automatically made a prince in 1960, when he was second in line to the throne. However, the outcome of a civil sexual assault case against him has reportedly led to the Windsors taking immediate action, rather than waiting for the case to conclude. The removal of the title is seen as a sign of the monarchy’s efforts to distance itself from the controversy surrounding Andrew.
Although Andrew will no longer use his HRH style, he will still retain his title as Duke of York, a dukedom given to him by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on his wedding day. This means he will still be referred to as His Royal Highness, albeit in a limited sense. The York dukedom has a special place in the monarch’s heart, having been held previously by her parents and is often regarded as her “favourite son.”
Britains Prince Andrew (Via Britains Prince Andrew/Twitter)
In addition to his title, Andrew will continue to hold his military rank of Vice Admiral and will also remain in the line of succession. He will, however, no longer use his HRH title in any official capacity and will not appear on official balcony visits or carry out official royal duties. This decision marks a significant change in Andrew’s role within the monarchy and will likely have a lasting impact on his reputation.
The move is reminiscent of the treatment of Princess Diana, who had her HRH style completely removed after her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996. Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, also lost her HRH title after their split. In contrast, Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, was allowed to retain the HRH style, albeit in a limited capacity.
The removal of Prince Andrew’s HRH title serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the British monarchy in recent years, as it navigates the complexities of tradition, protocol, and public perception. As the monarchy continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Andrew’s decision will affect his role within the institution and the reputation of the royal family as a whole.
