Andrew set to be stripped of London City freedom
Andrew set to be stripped of London City freedom
Telegraph reportersTue, July 28, 2026 at 2:18 PM UTC
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had his royal titles stripped last year because of his connection with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could be stripped of his freedom of the City of London, losing one of his final honours.
The King stripped his brother of his royal titles and honours last year because of his connection to Jeffrey Epstein, the paedophile financier.
He retains the freedom of the City of London, an award he received in 2021, because his father, Prince Philip, had been a freeman.
The City of London Corporation, the area’s local authority, is now drawing up plans to strip him of that honour.
In May, it criticised Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for failing to surrender his freedom of the City of London “despite being asked to do so”.
It has emerged that the corporation is developing a process to remove Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s right to it, as there is no current mechanism allowing the body to do so.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office - Toby Melville/REUTERS
A City of London Corporation spokesman said: “Our thoughts remain with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, and with all victims and survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation.
“We are developing a process that would allow the freedom of the City of London to be removed where appropriate, having determined that there is currently no effective lawful mechanism to do so.
“If elected members approve the new process, they will then consider whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s freedom should be removed.”
There has been some discussion that the corporation could draft a bill, which Parliament would have to pass, allowing it to strip Mr Mountbatten-Windsor of the honour.
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The spokesman suggested that the corporation would rather move at a quicker pace, carrying out its own process to allow the move.
The spokesman said: “We understand why people want this matter resolved as quickly as possible, and we share that desire.
“The fastest and most appropriate approach is to put in place a lawful process that allows the City corporation to make these decisions itself, rather than seeking legislation through Parliament.
“We are progressing that work and, if elected members approve the new process, they will then be able to consider whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s freedom should be removed.”
In a motion of censure passed in May, the City corporation’s Court of Common Council said there was “profound disappointment” Mr Mountbatten-Windsor had not surrendered his freedom.
The City corporation’s highest decision-making body said it lacked the power to remove it as Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s freedom “is not an honour or office but a property right protected under both domestic law and the European Convention on Human Rights”.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February, on his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy. He has not been charged with a crime and has always denied wrongdoing.
Officers investigating Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s case have issued an appeal for members of the public to provide any relevant information they may hold.
One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.
As well as being nominated or applying for the freedom, it is also inherited via patrimony or offered by the City corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
