Prince Andrew stripped of “Freedom of York” honour

The City of York Council are now calling on Andrew to relinquish his title.

Prince Andrew has lost the Freedom of York, following a vote by the City of York Council. As BBC reports, the councillors voted unanimously to have the honour, which was bestowed upon him in 1987, removed. There are now calls for him to relinquish his status as the Duke of York. The vote comes two months after the royal paid an undisclosed amount of money as a settlement to Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of sexual assault. Ms Giuffre alleged that Prince Andrew assaulted her three times when she was 17. He has denied these allegations. Following the council's decision to strip Andrew of the Freedom of York, Labour MP Rachel Maskell noted how Andrew was the "first to ever have their freedom removed". Ms Maskell also called for his title to be removed. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat Councillor Darryl Smalley called on both the Government and the Royal Family to "step in to remove his title to finally end Prince Andrew's connection to York" if Andrew doesn't relinquish it himself. Mr Smalley said: "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. Earlier this year, Prince Andrew has had his military affiliations, and royal patronages revoked, and, in a statement, the Queen said that Andrew would be defending his case as a "private citizen". The statement read: "With the Queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York's affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen. "The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."