Prince Louis Unlikely to Inherit Andrew’s Title — Expert Says There May Never Be Another Duke of York
The Duke of York title has been typically bestowed by the monarch on their second son, dating back to King Edward IV in 1474.
As the son of a future King, Prince Louis is expected to take on more royal responsibilities, trading mischief for duty. Recently, following Prince Andrew’s decision to relinquish his Duke of York title in the face of scandal, many assumed that Louis would be next in line to inherit it, as royal tradition has it passing to male heirs. However, these rumors were quickly dispelled by royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, who explained that the title is likely to remain dormant forever, given the controversies surrounding its former holder, Andrew.
Fitzwilliams argued that, given Prince William's cold behavior toward Andrew, he may not consent to Louis inheriting the controversial title. He told GB News, "Certain titles are identified with their holders, maybe unfairly. We are in an age where instant information is available, and the Duke of York rings alarm bells worldwide." The expert explained that it may therefore be 'too soon' for Louis to adopt the title. He added, "There probably will never be another Duke of York. They (the media) will still be using that Newsnight interview in 50 years," referring to Andrew's infamous interview after the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Using a historical precedent to argue his point, Mr Fitzwilliams predicted, "There won’t be another Duke of Windsor." The title of Duke of Windsor was held by King Edward VIII, who famously abdicated the throne to marry the American divorcée Wallis Simpson, a decision that shocked the world. To this date, no royal has inherited the title. As for Andrew, while he still legally holds the title of Duke of York, his future remains uncertain. To legally strip him of the title, an Act of Parliament would be required, something that Charles is reportedly looking to avoid.
The Duke of York title has been typically bestowed by the monarch on their second son, a practice dating back to King Edward IV in 1474. The late Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, held the title before King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne in 1936. Since the dukedom follows male-line succession, it cannot be held by Andrew's daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Without a legitimate male heir, the title will pass on to the Crown upon Andrew’s death. However, William could choose to break with tradition and give Louis a different title, or possibly no title at all. As per reports, William wants more freedom for 'spares' Princess Charlotte and Louis, something which he and Prince Harry didn't have growing up. This aligns with his well-known plans for a learner monarchy.
