Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could be set to lose one of his final long-held honours inherited from his late father, Prince Philip, after ignoring a previous request to give it up.
The City of London Corporation is drawing up plans to strip the disgraced former Duke of York of his Freedom of the City of London honour, which he received in 2012 and is the highest honour the city can bestow. Andrew was awarded the honour by virtue of patrimony, as his father Philip was also a Freeman since 1948.
"Our thoughts remain with the victims and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, and with all victims and survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation," a City of London Corporation spokesperson said. "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."
© Getty ImagesThe statement continued: "If elected Members approve the new process, they will then consider whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom should be removed."
The move comes after the City of London Corporation requested Andrew to surrender his honour amid renewed scrutiny surrounding his links to convicted late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Andrew's honorary title
© Getty ImagesAfter holding the symbolic honour for 14 years, Andrew was formally requested to voluntarily relinquish his Freedom of the City of London in April. The City of London Corporation wrote to the disgraced royal, who failed to respond.
The City of London Corporation’s Court of Common Council later expressed "profound disappointment" over the royal not surrendering his freedom "despite being asked to do so". The court said Andrew's links to Epstein were "wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with the status and obligations of a Freeman of the City of London."
The honour is believed to date back to 1237 and is a way to recognise a significant achievement or outstanding contribution to the city. People can be nominated or apply for the honour; otherwise, they can inherit it via patrimony.
What other titles has Andrew lost?
© Getty ImagesKing Charles formally stripped his brother Andrew of his remaining royal titles last year, including his HRH styling and princely title. The move was confirmed on 3 November in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace.
"THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 3 November 2025 to declare that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of 'Royal Highness' and the titular dignity of 'Prince'."
After losing his royal titles, Andrew was evicted from his home at Royal Lodge and forced to relocate to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate. Earlier this month, it was announced the Duke of York's Theatre on St Martin's Lane in London's West End would be permanently renamed the Tom Stoppard Theatre. The theatre had been originally named in 1895 to honour the future King George V rather than Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
