City of London Moves to Censure Andrew
The City of London Corporation is set to bring forward a motion of censure against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after he did not reply to a letter inviting him to relinquish the Freedom of the City of London. The move is due to be considered at the next meeting of the Court of Common Council on 21 May.
BBC News reported that the former prince received the Freedom of the City of London in 2012 “by virtue of patrimony” because his father, Prince Philip, had been a Freeman, and that the Corporation has said there is currently no effective legal mechanism to remove the honour.
A City of London Corporation spokesperson said the organisation wrote to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in April, and that after his failure to respond, members of its Policy and Resources Committee agreed to bring forward the censure motion as “a formal expression of our disapproval”. The spokesperson added that its thoughts remained with the victims and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and all victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.
Freedom of the City of London is now largely ceremonial, and the BBC report noted it is typically awarded following nominations by corporation councillors, but that Mountbatten-Windsor inherited the status as the child of a Freeman and that it constitutes a legal right. Previous recipients have included Sir Lenny Henry and Ms Cate Blanchett.
The development adds to continued scrutiny surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, with past questions over public-facing honours and associations including King Charles reportedly bracing for renewed Epstein-related fallout. The Court of Common Council will decide the next steps when it meets later this month.
