City of York councillors have voted unanimously to remove the Duke of York's Honorary Freedom of the City.
The motion was voted through at an extraordinary full council meeting today (Wednesday, April 27).
The meeting saw councillors vote to remove the honorary title presented to Prince Andrew on February 23, 1987 by the then-serving councillors as a wedding gift.
Prince Andrew was contacted by council officers in advance of the meeting to inform him of councillors' intention to seek to remove the honorary freedom.
The honorary freedom is bestowed by the city to recognise notable service by local residents, to distinguished people, and to royalty.
Breaking: City of York councillors have voted unanimously to remove the Duke of York's Honorary Freedom of the City
— Joe Cooper (@York_LDR) April 27, 2022
Councillor Darryl Smalley, City of York Council’s executive member for culture, leisure & communities, and proposer of the motion, said in March that allegations levelled at the Duke as well as his associations with convicted abusers were 'incredibly serious and cannot be ignored,' and the title was 'no longer appropriate.'
Today he 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.
.@GSwinburn says the council motion is too weak and that Prince Andrew should be declared "persona non grata" in York
— Joe Cooper (@York_LDR) April 27, 2022
"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.”
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