Safeguarding the Crown The Definitive Actions King Charles III Can Take Regarding Prince Andrew's Future
Written byTimes Magazine
The controversies surrounding Prince Andrew, Duke of York, have created a sustained and significant crisis for the British monarchy demanding a decisive response from his brother, King Charles III. While the late Queen Elizabeth II took initial steps to sever his ties to official royal life the onus is now on the new monarch to determine a permanent and sustainable solution that protects the integrity and public image of the Crown. The King’s available actions are constrained by a complex mix of royal prerogative, convention and statutory law making any final move a political and constitutional tightrope walk.
The most critical and publicly desired action is the removal of Prince Andrew's remaining titles notably his Dukedom of York. Crucially the power to strip a peerage, which includes a dukedom, does not rest solely with the monarch. To legally strip a title of peerage it would almost certainly require an Act of Parliament a process involving the UK government and both Houses of Parliament. Historically this has been a rare measure primarily reserved for cases of high treason. While public sentiment overwhelmingly favors such a move no government is likely eager to spend significant political capital on contentious royal legislation which could open a 'can of worms' by setting a precedent for stripping other peerages. Therefore a dramatic legislative removal of the dukedom remains technically possible but practically challenging for King Charles.
Where the King holds more direct power through the royal prerogative is over titles of style and official roles. Under his mother's reign Prince Andrew was stripped of his honorary military affiliations and royal patronages and was instructed not to use his 'His Royal Highness' HRH style in any official capacity. King Charles III has upheld this decision and has reportedly blocked any attempts by his brother to return to public royal duties. The sovereign can issue new Letters Patent to formally restrict the HRH style further though Prince Andrew is already effectively a non working royal. Another clear action the King has the power to take is to remove Prince Andrew's remaining ceremonial role as a Counsellor of State which allows him to deputise for the monarch in certain circumstances. This change could be enacted relatively easily through an Act of Parliament at the request of the sovereign as was done recently to expand the list of Counsellors.
Beyond titles and roles the King has significant control over Prince Andrew's financial arrangements and living situation. Reports have already indicated that King Charles has moved to cut off his younger brother's public funding and there is ongoing speculation about pressure for the Duke of York to move from his current residence Royal Lodge. While the latter is complicated by a long term Crown Estate lease the overall financial leverage rests with the monarch and the Crown Estate. In essence King Charles III's strategy appears to be one of sustained and quiet marginalization making Andrew's position within the "Firm" untenable and invisible to the public. The King must weigh public demand for definitive action against the constitutional and family constraints choosing a path that safeguards the monarchy's long term stability over potentially destabilising political grand gestures.
