By Katherine Tinsley
3:23pm PDT, Oct 24, 2025
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Is the Duke of York title cursed?
Prince Andrew — who recently renounced his Duke of York title — is joining other royals who had a history of controversy.
Keep reading for the details…
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The Dukedom of York was created in 1385, but unlike the Prince of Wales, it wasn't an inherited title.
Tatler reported that previous Dukes of York died without male heirs or before they could ascend to the throne.
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The first ever Duke of York was Edmund of Langley, who was the fourth son of King Edward III.
Edmund was a trusted advisor to his nephew King Richard II, but he later betrayed him by supporting Henry Bolingbroke, who invaded in 1399. Their family feud was the focus of Shakespeare's Richard II, which cemented the rift's place in English history.
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Edmund of Langley's son Edward later took on the Dukedom of York and played an important role in King Richard II, King Henry IV and King Henry V's monarchies.
Edward died during the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 while protecting Henry V. Edward. It's unclear if Edward passed away from a head wound or being "smouldered to death."
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King Edward IV was able to ascend to the throne and carry the Duke of York distinction, but his final years as sovereign weren't pleasant.
Toward the end of Edward IV's reign, he was extremely ill, due to his alleged use of emetics, doctors surmised. However, Tatler noted that many historians believe he king had syphilis. Edward IV hoped his son Edward V would be his heir, but King Richard III was crowned instead. It's believed that Edward V's uncle sent him and his brother to a tower, and the siblings died with the Duke of York name.
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The Dukedom of York was revived by King Henry VIII in 1494 when he was still Henry Tudor, but the status was returned to the crown once he became sovereign.
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Queen Elizabeth II's decision to give the Dukedom of York to Prince Andrew was the eighth time in British history that it was used. Elizabeth's father, King George VI, was previously known as the Duke of York before his brother Edward, Duke of Windsor, abdicated the throne.
