The City Council of the English city of York has unanimously decided to strip the British Prince Andrew of his honorary citizenship. The reason is the allegations of sexual abuse against Queen Elizabeth’s second son. The 62-year-old Andrew, who can also call himself Duke of York, bore the honorary title Freedom to the City of York since 1987.
“The honorary citizenship of our great city is bestowed upon people who represent the very best of York,” said a city councillor. “It is inappropriate for Prince Andrew to maintain any ties to our city.”
Abuse case
The British Prince was involved in an abuse case that also involved the late businessman and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew was good friends with him and his business partner Ghislaine Maxwell.
According to the American Virginia Giuffre, the prince sexually assaulted her three times in 2001, when she was 17 years old. The meetings are said to have been arranged by Maxwell. The prince has consistently denied the allegations.
In the lawsuit that Giuffre filed against Andrew, it came to a settlement† The prince did not plead guilty, but said in a statement that he “accepted” that the American had suffered. “Both as a victim of abuse and of the public attacks on her.”
lost titles
Because of the case, Andrew had to surrender some of his titles in January. He is no longer allowed to call himself a royal highness and he has also lost his military titles. However, the prince is still Duke of York.
According to the BBC York councilors are calling on him to relinquish that title as well. If he does not do so himself, the government and the royal family must take action, one of them said after the council vote.
The British broadcaster has asked both Prince Andrew and Buckingham Palace for comments, but neither side declined to comment.
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