York Minster representatives have confirmed they are exploring removing a dedication to the former Duke of York at the cathedral, according to a York Minster spokesperson. A stone marking Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's unveiling of restoration work at York Minster on June 19, 1998 is set to be reviewed. York Minster is a Grade I listed building, making changes to its fabric complex.
The specific timeline or decision process for removing or changing the dedications at York Minster and Millennium Bridge has not been disclosed. A plaque dedicated to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor commemorating his opening of the Millennium Bridge in York on May 29, 2001 is also set to be changed, according to reports. However, council deputy leader Peter Kilbane said there is a planning process to follow for plaques on listed buildings, but they are not aware of any heritage plaques linked to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Cllr Darryl Smalley said the plaque on Millennium Bridge should be removed. Some residents have called for the plaque to be thrown in a skip, according to residents. The review of dedications follows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as trade envoy.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was later released under investigation. The specific evidence or allegations that led to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest for misconduct in public office have not been made public. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing, according to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his titles following revelations about his links to child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The movement to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's name from public places appears to be extending beyond York. Prince Andrew Island on the Otonabee River near Lakefield, Ontario, will change its name, according to a local official.
What new name will be chosen for Prince Andrew Island in Canada remains undetermined. How widespread the movement to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's name from public places is, and whether other locations are affected, is unclear. The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has sparked renewed scrutiny of his public legacy, with authorities in York now taking concrete steps to reassess memorials tied to him.
At York Minster, the dedication under review is a stone that commemorates his role in unveiling restoration work, a detail that highlights the historical context of his involvement with the cathedral. The complexity of altering such dedications is compounded by York Minster's status as a Grade I listed building, which imposes strict regulations on any modifications to its structure. Similarly, the Millennium Bridge plaque, which marks his opening of the bridge, faces potential removal, though council officials note the need to adhere to planning processes for listed buildings.
Public sentiment in York has been vocal, with some residents advocating for the plaque's disposal, reflecting broader community reactions to the allegations against him. Beyond York, the renaming of Prince Andrew Island in Canada indicates a wider trend, though the extent of this movement remains uncertain. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest, based on allegations of sharing sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein, has not yet led to public disclosure of specific evidence, and he maintains his innocence.
His release under investigation leaves the legal outcome pending, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his case. The stripping of his titles earlier, due to his links to Epstein, has further fueled calls for erasing his name from public spaces, as seen in York and potentially elsewhere. As reviews proceed, the lack of disclosed timelines or decision processes for the dedications means that changes may unfold gradually, with heritage considerations and public opinion playing key roles in the outcomes.