Jersey Ports Won’t Reveal Plaque Change Cost
Ports of Jersey has declined to say how much it spent replacing a commemorative plaque at Elizabeth Marina after wording referencing Prince Andrew was removed. The change, made quietly, has drawn scrutiny because the plaque originally marked the marina’s official opening by the then Prince in 1998.
The original plaque stated the marina was opened by “H.R.H The Prince Andrew, Duke of York” on 15 May 1998, but the replacement now reads: “Opened on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” Bailiwick Express reported.
According to the report, the ports authority had previously said any changes to references to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor or his former title would only be made following formal instruction from the Royal Household. Ports of Jersey did not disclose the total cost of removing and replacing the plaque, including design and installation, despite queries from the publication.
The plaque has been a focal point for controversy amid continued public attention on Prince Andrew’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and last year it was defaced with a pizza sticker that appeared to reference the Duke’s widely reported “Pizza Express in Woking” alibi.
The decision to alter the wording without detailing the cost is likely to keep attention on how public bodies handle commemorations connected to the Duke of York, as debate continues over which royal honours and references should remain in place.
