To be honest, it’s kind of surprising anyone even still calls him “Prince” Andrew. His grandmother, the Queen of England, did after all strip him of his military titles and royal patronages back in January of this year.
Now another honor has been stripped from him, this time his Freedom of the City of York honor. This honor was bestowed on him back the the 80’s as a wedding gift after he married Sarah Ferguson.
Darryl Smalley, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Culture had this to say: “The honor 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,”
In case you’ve been living under a rock, a woman by the name of Virginia Giuffre alleged that she was the victim of sex trafficking and abuse by Jeffrey Epstein from the age of 16. She further alleged that Epstein lent her out to other powerful men – including Prince Andrew. Specifically, Ms Giuffre alleged that Andrew sexually assaulted her on three occasions when she was under the age of 18. Prince Andrew settled the case Giuffre brought against him for an undisclosed amount and has always denied the allegations.
Smalley thinks taking back the honor should just be the beginning. He also wants Andrew to lose the title of Duke of York, whether by “doing the right thing” and relinquishing it himself or by Buckingham Palace taking the title. Basically, he wants all connections between his city and the fallen Prince gone.
Do you think Queen Elizabeth should remove all of Andrew’s titles? Sound off in the comments.
