Residents in Scotland are pushing back against proposals to rename streets named after Prince Andrew, as councils across the UK grapple with the fallout from his fall from grace. The former prince, stripped of his titles over sex allegations he denies, has left a legacy of roads bearing his name from Broadstairs to Belfast, but changing them is proving a bureaucratic nightmare.
In Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, Prince Andrew Way is set to be purged after a council motion described as 'sad but necessary'. A public consultation is under way. Meanwhile, in Maidenhead, Berkshire, residents of Prince Andrew Road and Prince Andrew Close have complained of 'surface-level embarrassment' and 'smirks' when giving their address. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has eased the process, requiring two-thirds of residents to agree rather than unanimous consent.
However, renaming streets is fraught with difficulties. Residents face changing bank accounts, driving licences, property deeds, and even pet microchips. Businesses must update letterheads. Legal expert Richard Harwood KC noted that 'one reason why changes aren’t very common, and one reason for it being contentious, is the admin.' Councils must also consult emergency services and Royal Mail to avoid confusion.
The cost can be significant. When Black Boy Lane in Tottenham was renamed in 2023, Haringey council spent at least £50,000 reimbursing residents. The road eventually became La Rose Lane, but some residents protested by displaying the old name in their windows. Such examples highlight the potential for local opposition despite council decisions.
GeoPlace’s best-practice manual discourages naming streets after living people, precisely because of the risk of such controversies. The debate continues in Scotland and beyond, where residents and councils alike must weigh the embarrassment of an Andrew-named street against the practical headaches of change.
