In a landmark decision, a Northern Irish council has become the first local authority in the United Kingdom to initiate the renaming of a street honouring Prince Andrew. This move follows his removal from royal life by King Charles III.
Unanimous Council Decision
The Mid and East Antrim council unanimously agreed during a meeting to proceed with changing the name of Prince Andrew Way in Carrickfergus. The decision, made on Monday 24 November 2025, also includes launching a consultation with local residents to determine a new designation for the street.
Councillor Anna Henry of the Traditional Unionist Voice party articulated the sentiment behind the motion, stating it was a sad but necessary step. She emphasised that the alleged actions of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had made it impossible for the council to continue honouring him.
Background and Royal Fallout
The council's action comes directly after King Charles took decisive steps to distance the monarchy from his brother. In October, the King stripped Andrew of his title of prince and the Duke of York, and evicted him from his royal mansion.
This was a direct response to the intense scrutiny over Andrew's conduct and his connections to the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Official Letters Patent dated 3 November 2025 formally declared that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor would no longer hold the style, title, or attribute of 'Royal Highness' or 'Prince'.
Next Steps and Proposed Tributes
Council staff will now begin the administrative process, which involves engaging with statutory bodies like the postal service and the royal household. A key practical consideration will be assessing whether the council can cover the potential costs for the 10 addresses located on the street.
Alliance Party councillor Lauren Gray has already put forward a proposal for the new street name, suggesting a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth.
