A local authority in Northern Ireland has unanimously initiated the process to change the name of a street honouring Prince Andrew, marking the first such action in the UK.
Unanimous Decision for a Royal Rebrand
Mid and East Antrim Council has voted to rebrand Prince Andrew Way in Carrickfergus. This decisive move follows the King's choice to remove his brother from public life. The former Duke of York was stripped of his titles and evicted from his Windsor home due to his connections with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Prince Andrew has consistently denied all allegations against him.
The council's decision gained further momentum after the posthumous release of his accuser Virginia Giuffre's memoir last month and his subsequent naming in recently released Epstein files in the US.
The Road to a New Name
Councillor Lauren Gray highlighted that the issue of renaming the street first surfaced in 2019 but has become increasingly urgent due to recent events. She has proposed that the street maintain its connection to the monarchy by instead honouring Queen Elizabeth II, whom she described as a strong female leader.
Her sentiments were supported by Councillor Anna Henry, who called the motion sad but necessary. She stated that the alleged actions of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor made it impossible for the council to continue honouring him.
Practical Hurdles for Residents
The council's interim chief executive, Valerie Watts, has cautioned that the renaming process will not be straightforward. With no existing council policy for changing street names, the procedure involves complex coordination with the postal service and the royal household, as well as a public consultation.
Residents on the street, approximately ten addresses, have been warned they will face considerable administrative work. They will need to update their address on bank accounts, credit cards, driver's licences, and utility bills. The council has stated it will explore whether it can cover any costs incurred by the residents during this transition.
This local action reflects a wider sentiment, with residents on other UK streets, such as Prince Andrew Drive in Shropshire, also calling for their addresses to be updated.
