A new law is set to be presented in Parliament today, allowing the King to formally remove Prince Andrew’s dukedom. The proposed legislation, brought forward by York Central MP Rachael Maskell, aims to grant the monarch the authority to strip titles.
This development follows Prince Andrew’s announcement that he will no longer use his Duke of York title, knighthood, and role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in light of the escalating controversy surrounding his associations with Jeffrey Epstein. Despite denying any wrongdoing, the Prince still holds his dukedom, which can only be revoked through a parliamentary act.
Ms. Maskell, an independent MP, emphasized the need for Parliament to take action in enabling the monarch to remove titles. She stated, “The Duke of York title remains intact despite not being actively used. My brief Bill, The Removal of Titles Bill, aims to address this issue and I hope for Parliament’s support.”
However, the Bill’s passage is contingent on Government backing, with ministers seemingly awaiting direction from Buckingham Palace. Calls for a legal overhaul are mounting amid ongoing allegations.
Once the Bill is formally introduced, Ms. Maskell intends to distribute copies to Buckingham Palace and Keir Starmer to garner support. She expressed optimism for discussions between the palace and Parliament to assess the necessity and feasibility of the proposed legislation.
The legislation, if enacted, would also encompass peerages, extending its scope to potentially address misconduct by members of the House of Lords like Baroness Michelle Mone and Lord Mandelson. Ms. Maskell clarified that while the current situation has prompted the legislation, it is designed to be a standing measure for future instances.
Notably, Prince Andrew will relinquish additional titles, including Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, Baron Killyleagh, his knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO), and his Garter role.
The existing Titles Deprivation Act of 1917, initially aimed at revoking titles from individuals who collaborated with the enemy during World War I, is deemed outdated for contemporary circumstances.
Recent polling indicates strong public support for Prince Andrew’s formal removal of the dukedom, with the majority of respondents favoring the action.