Mid and East Antrim Council has unanimously agreed to initiate the formal process of renaming Prince Andrew Way in Carrickfergus, a street originally named in honour of the Duke of York's 1986 wedding to Sarah Ferguson.
Unanimous Decision Sparks Renaming Process
The motion to change the street name was proposed by Alliance Party councillor Lauren Gray during a council meeting on Monday, 24 November 2025. The proposal received cross-party support from all represented parties, including the DUP, UUP, TUV and Sinn Fein, and was seconded by Alliance councillor Aaron Skinner.
Councillor Gray revealed that constituents had been suggesting the renaming to her since she was first elected in 2019, but public demand had "grown substantially" over the past year. She emphasised that the move comes at an appropriate time, following Prince Andrew stepping back from royal duties in October and the King initiating "a formal process" to remove his styles, titles and honours.
Proposal for Royal Tribute Remains
While seeking to distance the street from the disgraced royal, the proposal aims to maintain Carrickfergus's historical connection to the monarchy. Councillor Gray suggested that renaming the street after Queen Elizabeth II would serve as a "fitting tribute" to the late monarch, describing her as "a strong female leader in a male-dominated world."
The council heard there are approximately 10 addresses on Prince Andrew Way, and the interim chief executive Valerie Watts cautioned that changing a street name is not straightforward. She highlighted the practical implications for residents, including updating bank accounts, credit cards, driver's licences and utility bills.
Public Consultation to Guide Next Steps
Council officers will now prepare a detailed report outlining the renaming process, which will include a mechanism for public consultation. This will allow the people of Carrickfergus to have their say in choosing a new name for the street.
Ms Watts confirmed that while there is no existing council policy for changing street names, the council does have the power to do so. The process will require consultation with other agencies, including Royal Mail, and a full investigation into the requirements.
Councillor Gray responded to these procedural considerations by stating: "I think we are aware of the process that this will take... I think the important thing here tonight is that we're taking that step forward to empower the officers and the staff team to look at how we can make this happen."
The decision follows years of controversy surrounding Prince Andrew's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual assault made by Virginia Giuffre, which the former senior royal continues to deny.
