Northern Ireland authority begins process to drop former prince’s honour
A council in Northern Ireland has taken its first formal step toward removing Prince Andrew Way, the street named after the former prince who is now known only as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The move was set in motion on Monday. Anna Henry of the Traditional Unionist Voice said the situation had reached a point where the council could no longer continue recognising him in this way. She explained that the allegations surrounding Andrew had made the honour inappropriate for local residents.
Unionist parties and Sinn Féin have backed the motion, but interim chief executive Valerie Watts warned that the process is more complicated than it sounds. She noted that residents need to be consulted because a name change affects everyday essentials such as bank details, licences and household bills. Even so, she confirmed the council has the authority to rename streets.
Andrew’s titles were removed after renewed public anger following the release of his late accuser’s memoir. The King later took the unprecedented step of stripping him of all hereditary honours. He was also required to leave the Royal Lodge at Windsor, which is funded by taxpayers, and move to a privately managed property on the Sandringham estate.
The formal announcement stated that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor would no longer hold the style or dignity of royal highness or prince. A separate entry confirmed his removal from the roll of peerage as the Duke of York.
The council’s decision marks the beginning of what is expected to be a careful but decisive process, with local consultation set to determine the next stage.
