Council Votes to Rename Prince Andrew Way Amid Controversy

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has unanimously decided to initiate the process of renaming Prince Andrew Way in Carrickfergus. The motion, introduced by Alliance Councillor Lauren Gray, received support from all parties represented on the Council, including the DUP, UUP, TUV, and Sinn Féin during a meeting held on Monday evening.

Gray emphasized the importance of maintaining a connection to the Royal Family while moving forward with the name change. “The Council will work to rename Prince Andrew Way while seeking ways to ensure the important link to the Royal Family is maintained,” she stated. She proposed that the name of the late Queen Elizabeth II could serve as a fitting tribute, urging council officers to prepare a report that includes a public consultation process to gather input from the residents of Carrickfergus.

Prince Andrew Way, established in 1986 to commemorate Andrew’s marriage to Sarah Ferguson, currently has around ten addresses associated with it. Gray noted that discussions about renaming the street have been ongoing since her election in 2019, but interest has surged recently. “In recent weeks, as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor stepped away from some of the titles conferred on him, and now with the Royal Family removing his style, title, and honors, we’re now in the space to have this conversation,” she added.

Carrickfergus holds a significant historical connection to the Royal Family, and Gray expressed her desire to honor the legacy of a long-serving monarch. “Certainly, with the level of public comment locally, it would seem we are long overdue in looking at what it would take to make this change,” she remarked, underscoring the need for community input.

Following the unanimous decision, council officers will begin assessing how to best implement the name change. On social media, Gray expressed her gratitude for the cross-party support, stating, “Carrick is proud of its royal connections. We want to see these protected in a way that best showcases our community and values, which is why it’s essential the voices of Carrickfergus residents are heard.”

The motion comes during a period of growing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew. The son of the late Queen Elizabeth II has faced scrutiny due to his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In 2020, Andrew stepped back from public duties amid allegations of sexual assault, which were brought against him in a civil lawsuit by American Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre, who was trafficked as a teenager by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, settled the lawsuit out of court in 2022, with Andrew denying the accusations.

Following Giuffre’s tragic death by suicide in April 2023, her memoir, “Nobody’s Girl,” which includes allegations against Andrew, was released posthumously in October. Shortly after, Andrew announced that, with the agreement of King Charles, he would renounce his titles and honors. On October 30, Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles had initiated a formal process to remove Andrew’s style, titles, and honors, officially designating him as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

The palace’s announcement stated, “His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.” The statement further conveyed the royal family’s sympathies toward victims and survivors of abuse.

On November 5, an announcement in The Gazette, the UK’s official public record, declared that “THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 3 November 2023 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.'”

As the Council embarks on the renaming process, the sentiments expressed by Lauren Gray reflect a desire to honor the community’s historical ties while addressing the ongoing controversies surrounding Prince Andrew. The outcome of the public consultation is awaited, as residents of Carrickfergus prepare to voice their opinions on this significant decision.