Efforts to formally remove Prince Andrew from royal life could face significant legal and constitutional barriers, as any move to revoke his titles may require approval from Commonwealth nations including Australia, Canada and Papua New Guinea, legal experts have warned.
The Duke of York, who denies allegations of sexual assault linked to his association with Jeffrey Epstein, recently agreed to stop using his royal titles and privileges. However, his titles — including Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh — still legally exist.
According to Craig Prescott, a law lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London, completely removing Andrew’s peerages would require an act of Parliament, similar to the Titles Deprivation Act of 1917, which stripped royal titles from those who sided with Germany during World War I.
Prescott noted that while King Charles III can revoke certain honours such as Andrew’s knighthood, broader action would involve complex legislation that could open debate over other royals’ status — including Prince Harry.
Prince Andrew stepped back from public duties in 2019 following his BBC Newsnight interview and later settled a civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, who died earlier this year. He no longer uses his HRH title but remains eighth in line to the throne, a position that cannot be changed without agreement from all 15 Commonwealth realms.
