York strips its duke, Prince Andrew, of ‘freedom of city’ honour

The disgraced British royal recently settled a US lawsuit by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager

The royal family earlier removed Andrew’s military titles and royal patronages amid the scandal, which spotlighted his links to late US financier Jeffrey Epstein

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A portrait of Britain’s Prince Andrew is seen on a sign outside the Duke of York public house in London in January. Photo: Reuters

Published: 4:37am, 28 Apr 2022Updated: 5:56am, 28 Apr 2022

The northern English city of York on Wednesday stripped Britain’s Prince Andrew, who is the Duke of York, of the freedom of the city.

Local councillors voted en masse to rescind the honour bestowed on Andrew, Queen Elizabeth’s second son, in 1987.

Andrew, who has fallen from grace as a member of Britain’s royal family, in February settled a US lawsuit by Virginia Giuffre accusing him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager, potentially sparing him further embarrassment.

“The honorary freedom of our great city is bestowed on those who represent the very best of York. It’s inappropriate for Prince Andrew to retain any connection to our city,” said Darryl Smalley, a York city councillor.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and her son Prince Andrew, Duke of York, arrive to attend a Service of Thanksgiving for Britain’s Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey in March. Photo: AFP

Andrew, 62, did not admit wrongdoing in agreeing to settle the civil lawsuit. He has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing.