York City Council have voted to remove Prince Andrew’s freedom of the city during a meeting today.
The title was presented to Andrew back in February 1987 as a wedding gift.
But the Duke of York has since become a disgraced figure within the Royal Family after settling a sexual assault claim made against him out of court last month.
And now current York councillors have voted to remove the title.
Prince Andrew
POOL
Councillors voted for Andrew to have his Freedom of York title removed
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Councillor Darryl Smalley, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Communities, and proposer of the motion said: “The Honorary Freedom of York is the highest honour we, as a city, can bestow on those who represent the very best of York.
“The honour is held by many notable and accomplished people who carry it with pride and responsibly.
“Having been stripped of his military roles and royal patronages by the Queen, we believe that it is right to remove all links that Prince Andrew still has with our great city.
“I was pleased to see councillors of all parties support this motion and make it clear that it is no longer appropriate for Prince Andrew to represent York and its residents.
“The removal of this honorary title sends the right message that we as a city stand with victims of abuse. The next logical step is now for Prince Andrew to do the right thing and relinquish his Duke of York title.
“If he fails to do so, the Government and Buckingham Palace must step in to remove his title to finally end Prince Andrew’s connection to York.”
The council say they contacted Andrew before the vote to inform him of the “councillor’s intention to seek to remove the honorary freedom".
York councillors also made calls for Andrew to relinquish his Duke of York honour during the meeting.
Both Buckingham Palace and a spokesperson for the Duke of York declined to comment.
