Titles Deprivation Act

The Titles Deprivation Act of 1917 was an act of Parliament passed during the reign of George V after the initiation of World War I made it desirable for the British Royal Family to distance itself from its German origins.

The Act provided for the appointing of a council to investigate and report the names of "any persons enjoying any dignity or title as a peer or British prince who have, during the present war, borne arms against His Majesty or His Allies, or who have adhered to His Majesty's enemies."

Four such persons were named by the committee:

• HRH Leopold Charles, Duke of Albany, Earl of Clarence and Baron Arklow.
• HRH Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, Earl of Armagh.
• HRH Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick, Prince of Great Britain and Ireland.
• Henry, Viscount Taaffe of Corren and Baron of Ballymote

They were struck out of the Peerage Roll, and lost all privileges to their dignities and titles. Their successors have the right to petition for reinstatement.