Prince Andrew has been seen smiling on his way to visit the Queen ahead of a decision to strip him of the Freedom of the City of York tonight.
Facing residents’ fury over a civil case that the beleaguered Duke settled with Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre, now Roberts, the City of York Council will try to distance themselves from Prince Andrew.
At 6pm tonight the council will vote on withdrawing the ‘Honorary Freeman of the City status from the Duke of York which was given to him in 1987.
Councillors also want to push their association with Prince Andrew further and call on Buckingham Palace and the government to remove the Duke of York title.
The 62-year-old was stripped of his military roles and royal patronages and was told he would no longer be known as ‘His Royal Highness’.
Prince Andrew, pictured today, smiling on his way to visit the Queen ahead of a decision to strip him of the Freedom of the City of York tonight
Facing residents fury over a civil case that the beleaguered Duke settled with Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre, the City of York Council will try to distance themselves from Prince Andrew. Pictured: York Minster
At 6pm tonight the council will vote on withdrawing the ‘Honorary Freeman of the City status from the Duke of York, pictured today, which was given to him in 1987.
York City Council will consider the motion: ‘The Council resolves that, pursuant to Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the City of York Council withdraws the Honorary Freeman of the City status from the Duke of York which was conferred upon him in 1987.’
Darryl Smalley, a Liberal Democrat councillor for York City, told the Independent: ‘York’s unique connection to the crown and the monarch is an important part of our city’s legacy and history.
‘However, as a council and city, we stand with victims of sexual abuse and are doing all we can to end violence against women and girls locally.
‘As such, it is inappropriate that Prince Andrew retains his ambassadorial title that is intrinsically linked to our city.’
Mr Smalley has previously called on Prince Andrew to be stripped of his title.
A survey by York’s daily newspaper The Press found that 88 per cent of its readers want to see the prince’s Duke of York honours taken away from him.
Phil Pinder, a retailer in the famous cathedral city told The York Press in February: ‘York deserves better.
‘He has been stripped of his royal duties; he has done a settlement out of court ending the prospect of any kind of legal clearing of his name so the only option is for him to permanently step down as the Duke of York as well.
‘York deserves another royal to represent it instead.’
He suggested the ‘controversial’ choice of Prince Harry, who lives in the US and holds the Duke of Sussex title.
There are also multiple petitions to remove the Duke of York honour from Prince Andrew.
Residents in York have today called on Prince Andrew (pictured in 2021) to be stripped of his Duke title after settling in his US sex assault lawsuit
Andrew at York Racecourse to open the new weighing room in May 2015
One with over 1,000 signatories said: ‘Not only has “Prince” Andrew demonstrated a lack of morals, lack of humanity and lack of judgement by protracted fraternising with Jeffrey Epstein, his recent interview confirms he lacks the ability to reflect, show insight and learn.
‘Most importantly, it reveals a total lack of caring for others.
‘These are not Yorkshire values. Having him associated with such a proud, fair and straight talking county is contradictory and embarrassing. Remove the title.’
Prince Andrews’ first public appearance since he withdrew from public life following his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was found guilty in 2021 of child sex trafficking will be service for his father Prince Philip.
Its claimed the Queen ‘personally paid £2m to Virginia Roberts’s charity’ as part of Andrew’s £12m settlement.
‘Stipulation of Dismissal’ documents were filed with a court on March 8, with lawyers on both sides calling for the legal action to be dismissed, indicating the settlement has been paid.
As the order was published, the Treasury confirmed no taxpayer funds were used for either the payment to Virginia Roberts or for the Duke of York’s legal fees.
The prince pictured with his accuser Virginia Roberts and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was found guilty in 2021 of child sex trafficking
A freedom of information request asked whether any money from the Sovereign Grant to the Royal Family or any other government money was used. The Treasury insisted: ‘No public money has been used to pay legal or settlement fees.’
The joint order filed with the New York court said each party would pay their own costs and fees.
Reports the Queen or even Prince Charles contributed to the settlement by paying it or loaned him the money until the sale goes through of a £17million Swiss ski chalet he owns with ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York.
Mrs Giuffre had sued Andrew for alleged sexual abuse. She claimed he had sex with her when she was 17 after he was trafficked by his friend, the late billionaire paedophile Epstein.
Demands for Buckingham Palace to reveal how Prince Andrew (L) will pay for his £12million sexual abuse lawsuit intensified last night after royal aides refused to say whether it will be partly funded by the Queen (R)
The duke will make a ‘substantial donation’ to a charity for sex abuse victims set up by Mrs Giuffre, now a 38-year-old mother-of-three. He said he now regrets his association with Epstein.
Andrew, who was forced to step down from royal duties and public life as a result of the scandal, previously claimed he had no recollection of meeting Mrs Giuffre and has always strongly denied her allegations.
But he agreed to the settlement last month.
The Queen, who still hopes to attend a thanksgiving service for her husband, wanted the congregation to include family, friends, dignitaries and representatives of the many organisations with which the Duke of Edinburgh was associated.
The Palace has yet to confirm whether the Queen will be able to be present, saying that she still hopes to attend.
Prince Harry will not travel to the UK for the service amid ongoing legal action that he is taking against the Home Office over Metropolitan Police protection, which he believes he should still be entitled to when in the UK, despite quitting royal duties and moving to California.
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