Sounds like they wanted to "step back" from the responsibilities and negative publicity of being in the royal family but not "step down" from the privileges and positive publcity. And why is Mr. Windsor the "Duke" of anything anymore? He doesn't get to pick and chose from the royal buffet.
> And why is Mr. Windsor the “Duke” of anything anymore? <
I have often wondered about such titles. I know a duke is higher than, say, a baron, but what practical difference does it make these days?
Does a duke get a bigger discount at the palace gift shop? Or is it all just meaningless show?
He is a Duke because his peerages, while granted by Letters Patent by the Queen, can only be removed by Act of Parliament.
Parliament would have to pass another Titles Depravation Act like they did in 1917 for two German princes and an Austrian noble who had British Peerages.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titles_Deprivation_Act_1917
The Style of “His/Her Royal Highness “has not been removed but the Duke and Duchess have agree not to use it.
Their honorary military appointments and civilian patronages as members of the working Royal Family have been withdrawn.
They are no longer getting paid by the Crown for performing royal duties.