The SNP is pushing hard for the UK government to revoke Prince Andrew’s royal titles. Stephen Flynn, the party’s leader in Westminster, has introduced a motion that calls for the immediate removal of his dukedom.
This move comes amid growing scrutiny of Prince Andrew’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Recently, it was revealed that Andrew has voluntarily given up many of his titles, including Duke of York and Earl of Inverness, which is used in Scotland. He also resigned from the Order of the Garter, the oldest British chivalric order.
However, Buckingham Palace is under pressure to take more decisive action. While Andrew’s titles are currently in abeyance, only Parliament can legally strip him of them. Flynn’s motion, while significant, is not binding; it’s meant to urge the Labour government to act quickly. Flynn expressed frustration with the slow response from Westminster, emphasizing, “The public knows this is the right thing to do.”
In September, the SNP proposed a similar motion to remove the peerage of Lord Mandelson, who lost his ambassador role once his connection to Epstein was uncovered. Flynn believes immediate legislative change is necessary for the victims of Epstein’s scandal.
In 2022, Andrew stopped using the title “His Royal Highness” amidst allegations of sexual assault made by Virginia Giuffre. He has denied these claims but settled the case without admitting liability.
Public sentiment is shifting, particularly reflected on social media. Many users are calling for accountability within the royal family, seeing Andrew’s continued titles as inappropriate.
The UK government seems hesitant to act unless King Charles III requests it. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson indicated that the government would defer to royal wishes regarding this matter.
Flynn’s comments call into question the responsibility of leadership. “What is Keir Starmer waiting for?” he asked, stressing the urgency for action, as victims of abuse deserve justice.
As this situation unfolds, it highlights the balance of power in the monarchy and the growing insistence from the public on accountability. For more on this topic, you can read from BBC News.
