Prince Andrew Loses Yet Another Title After Unanimous Vote

It's been a bad few months for Britain's Prince Andrew and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Queen Elizabeth II's second son has been the subject of headlines ever since an American woman named Virginia Giuffre sued him in August of 2021, alleging he had sexual relations with her when she was underage at a mansion belonging to late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein (via The Guardian), who was found dead in a New York jail in 2019 (via The New York Times).

While Andrew settled with Giuffre for an undisclosed amount in February of 2022 (via CBS News), the damage to his reputation had already been done, with his mother stripping him of his military titles and patronages the month before in January, according to USA Today.

In fact, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams questioned the settlement when talking with the UK Sun, saying, "He claimed innocence, but he has settled and many would regard this as an admission of guilt. If he was innocent then why did he pay?" Now, Andrew has lost another high honor title he held for decades.

On April 27, the City of York councilors voted to take yet another title from Prince Andrew, who is also known as the Duke of York. All councilors unanimously chose to take away Andrew's Freedom of the City of York title, something that was bestowed upon him back in 1987, soon after he married his now-ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, according to ITV.

Darryl Smalley, who serves as the City of York council's executive member for culture, said he felt it was the right thing to do.

"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," Smalley said. "The removal of this honorary title sends the right message that we as a city stand with victims of abuse."

Andrew, who was made Duke of York in 1986 on the same day he married Ferguson (via Britannica), may have to worry about that title now, as well, although Smalley would like to see Andrew give up the title without being forced. "If he fails to do so," Smalley added (via ITV), "the Government and Buckingham Palace must step in to remove his title to finally end Prince Andrew's connection to York."