A bill is being presented in Parliament today to grant the King the authority to officially strip Prince Andrew of his dukedom. Rachael Maskell, the MP for York Central, is putting forward the proposal aimed at allowing the monarch to formally revoke titles.
This development follows Prince Andrew’s announcement that he would cease using his Duke of York title, knighthood, and role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter amidst increasing scrutiny over his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Despite denying any wrongdoing, the Prince still holds his dukedom, which can only be rescinded through a parliamentary act.
Ms. Maskell, an independent MP, emphasized the need for parliamentary action to enable the removal of titles, stating, “The Duke of York title may not be in use, but it remains intact. My bill, The Removal of Titles Bill, aims to rectify this situation and I hope it garners parliamentary support.”
However, the bill’s passage into law hinges on government backing, with ministers seemingly awaiting guidance from Buckingham Palace. Calls for legislative reform are mounting in light of ongoing controversies.
Once the bill is formally introduced, Ms. Maskell intends to share copies with Buckingham Palace and Keir Starmer to garner backing. She expressed hope for dialogue between the palace and Parliament to assess the necessity and feasibility of the proposed legislation.
The bill is not limited to Prince Andrew but extends to include peerages, potentially affecting members of the House of Lords like Baroness Michelle Mone and Lord Mandelson. Ms. Maskell clarified that while the bill’s inspiration stems from current events, it is intended for future situations involving various titles and ranks.
Prince Andrew’s relinquishment of titles includes his wedding day designations – Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh – as well as his knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and his Garter role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
The existing Titles Deprivation Act of 1917, initially enacted to strip titles from those who collaborated with the enemy during World War I, is considered outdated and may not be applicable in the present context.
A recent YouGov poll indicates that four out of five Britons support the formal removal of Prince Andrew’s dukedom, with 63% strongly in favor and 17% somewhat supportive. Only a small percentage oppose the idea, highlighting widespread public sentiment for the Duke’s titles to be revoked.