The Duke of York has suffered another significant blow to his public standing after councillors in Northern Ireland voted to remove his name from a street honour dating back nearly four decades.
Council Unanimously Backs Name Change
Mid and East Antrim Council has initiated the formal process to rename Prince Andrew Way in Carrickfergus, County Antrim. The street was originally named following Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's 1986 marriage to Sarah Ferguson, which also saw him become the Duke of York.
The motion to change the name was proposed by Alliance Party Councillor Lauren Gray, who revealed she has received requests for the change since her election in 2019. However, these requests intensified dramatically over the past year following King Charles III's decision to strip Andrew of his military affiliations and royal patronages.
Public Pressure Reaches Fever Pitch
Councillor Gray stated that with Andrew stepping back from titles and the royal family removing his style and honours, the council is now positioned to address the issue. "Certainly with the level of public comment locally, it would seem we are long overdue in looking at what it would take to make this change," she commented.
The motion has received cross-party support from all parties represented on the council, including the DUP, UUP, TUV and Sinn Fein. This unanimous backing underscores the significant shift in attitudes toward the disgraced royal following his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
New Name to Honour Queen Elizabeth II
Councillor Gray has suggested the street should retain its royal connections but shift its honour to Queen Elizabeth II as a "fitting tribute" to a "strong female leader in a male-dominated world." She emphasized Carrickfergus's long connection with the royal family while acknowledging that local residents deserve input into the final decision.
Council officers will now prepare a report outlining the renaming process, which will include a mechanism for public consultation. The consultation will involve the 10 addresses represented on the street, ensuring those directly affected have their say.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Nevertheless, the symbolic removal of his name from this Northern Irish street marks another step in his gradual distancing from public life and royal honours.
