City of London to Request Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Relinquish Freedom Honor
Elected members of the City of London Corporation have unanimously agreed to formally write to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, inviting him to voluntarily give up his freedom of the city honor. This significant decision follows an internal review that concluded the Corporation lacks the legal authority to forcibly remove the honor, which was first reported by MyLondon.
Inherited Honor and Legal Constraints
A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation confirmed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received the freedom of the city in 2012 through patrimony, a legal right inherited as the child of a freeman. His father, Prince Philip, held the honor, making the inheritance automatic and not subject to approval by elected officials.
The Corporation stated: "Applications via patrimony are not considered or endorsed by our elected members, and there is no effective legal mechanism to remove this type of freedom." Consequently, the only viable option is to request that Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor relinquish the honor voluntarily.
Historical Context and Royal Connections
The freedom of the city is one of London's most ancient traditions, dating back to 1237, originally granting recipients the right to practice their trade within the city walls. Today, it is typically awarded to notable individuals nominated by corporation councillors, such as Sir Lenny Henry and Cate Blanchett.
All of Andrew's siblings, including King Charles, also hold the freedom of the city of London, highlighting the widespread royal connections to this historic honor. However, Andrew's situation is unique due to the controversies surrounding his association with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Precedents and Broader Implications
This move by the City of London Corporation follows similar actions elsewhere. In March, Sarah Ferguson lost her freedom of the city of York title after councillors voted unanimously to remove it over her links to Epstein. Andrew himself had his freedom of York revoked in 2022, becoming the first person ever to have the honor taken away in that city.
If Andrew agrees to relinquish the London honor, it will mark another in a series of titles and honors he has lost since being stripped of his royal styles and military affiliations by King Charles. The Corporation will review any response from Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor at a future meeting and determine further actions based on his decision.
The ongoing scrutiny reflects broader public and institutional efforts to distance from figures linked to scandals, while navigating the complex legal frameworks governing ancient honors and traditions.
