Keir Starmer is under pressure to amend legislation that would formally divest Prince Andrew of his titles.
Prince Andrew relinquished his Duke of York title, knighthood, and role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter on Friday amidst mounting controversy surrounding his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
Despite consistently denying any misconduct, the royal still maintains his dukedom, which can only be revoked through an act of Parliament.
Rachael Maskell, the MP for York Central, advocates for the establishment of a process that would enable the monarch to rescind honors, including peerages. She previously introduced a private members bill on this matter.
Maskell, an independent MP, emphasized the importance of such legislation, stating, “It’s a concise bill that I’m proposing, which won’t be time-consuming but could have a significant impact when such situations arise. It would allow addressing associations with individuals like Epstein appropriately.”
The current Titles Deprivation Act of 1917 was crafted to strip peerages and royal titles from individuals who collaborated with the enemy during World War I.
According to Maskell, Parliament should take action, stating, “It is the responsibility of Parliament to act. There would need to be discussions between the Palace and Parliament to indicate the King’s willingness to assume these powers. However, Parliament could proceed with legislation independently if deemed necessary.”
Stephen Flynn, the SNP Westminster leader, expressed solidarity with Virginia Giuffre’s family and the public’s discontent, emphasizing the need for MPs to echo their outrage. He urged Parliament to swiftly address the removal of titles from figures like Peter Mandelson and Prince Andrew.
Liz Saville-Roberts of Plaid Cymru echoed the sentiment, advocating for holding royals to the same standards as everyone else and empowering Parliament to revoke privileges from those who abuse their positions.
When questioned about potential legislation to revoke Prince Andrew’s titles, Downing Street refrained from commenting directly, deferring to the Palace’s initial decision and supporting the King’s judgment on the matter.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson affirmed support for Prince Andrew’s voluntary title forfeiture but clarified that the government does not have jurisdiction over his prince status, stating, “These matters fall under the purview of the royal family.”
Phillipson emphasized the importance of prioritizing the victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse and indicated that decisions regarding royal titles would be guided by the royal family’s preferences and the monarch’s authority.
In conclusion, the debate over Prince Andrew’s titles remains ongoing, with differing views on the appropriate course of action between Parliament, the royal family, and the government.