The former Duke of York has been stripped of the freedom of York following revelations about his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faces further humiliation amid calls for a landmark he unveiled to be pulled down. The plaque was unveiled by Andrew at the opening of the bridge on May 29, 2001.
The silver plaque reads 'This plaque was unveiled by His Royal Highness The Duke of York, CVO, ADC'. Council chiefs are weighing up options to either remove or change the text of the plaque, but they have confirmed action will be taken. Changes to the plaque would not be subject to planning requirements.
The timeline or deadline for the council's decision is unclear. ' Cllr Darryl Smalley, who led the move to strip Andrew of the freedom of the city, said the plaque should be removed from Millennium Bridge. ' Cllr Darryl Smalley said a plaque to the former Duke of York was removed from Haxby library when he was on the council’s executive.
The plaque at Haxby library had been found during work to renovate the library and is now covered in plasterboard. The plaque at Haxby library marked the then Duke of York opening the Oaken Grove Community Centre, which houses the library, in 2005. Some York organisations have taken steps to distance themselves from the former duke.
York Racecourse has dropped the Duke of York title entirely from its race programme, renaming the 1895 Duke of York Stakes to the Minster Stakes. Andrew stepped down from his role as royal patron of York Racecourse in 2019 and was replaced by Queen Camilla in 2024. The former duke stepped down as royal patron of the York Minster Fund, a role he held for 15 years, in 2019.
The Duke of York pub at York Railway station was renamed the Line and Whistle after a refurbishment announced last year. Another pub bearing the Duke of York name has said it will not be renamed when it reopens later this year. Andrew was arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as trade envoy.
The specific allegations that led to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest for misconduct in public office have not been detailed. Andrew has not been charged and has always denied any wrongdoing. ' The extent of public support or opposition for removing the plaque, beyond the quoted residents, is unclear.