The City of London Corporation is preparing to revoke Prince Andrew's Freedom of the City of London honor, one of his few remaining titles. The decision comes after the Duke of York failed to voluntarily surrender the distinction, despite being asked to do so.
King Charles III had previously stripped his brother of his royal titles and honors in 2025, citing his connection to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Prince Andrew, however, still held the Freedom of the City of London, which he received in 2021. The award was initially granted partly because his father, Prince Philip, was also a freeman.
The City of London Corporation, responsible for administering the historic City of London, stated that it is developing a new process to enable the removal of the Freedom of the City honor when deemed appropriate. "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," a spokesperson for the Corporation said.
If approved by elected members, the Corporation will then consider whether to remove Prince Andrew's Freedom. The spokesperson indicated that this internal process is seen as a faster and more appropriate approach than seeking legislation through Parliament. "We understand why people want this matter resolved as quickly as possible, and we share that desire," the spokesperson added.
A censure motion passed in May by the City Corporation's Court of Common Council expressed "profound disappointment" that Prince Andrew had not relinquished his Freedom. The Court had previously noted that it lacked the power to remove the honor, as it was considered a property right protected under domestic law and the European Convention on Human Rights, rather than a typical honor or office.
Prince Andrew was arrested in February 2025, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Allegations suggested he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his tenure as the UK's trade envoy. He had already been stripped of his royal titles and his dukedom by the King late in 2025 due to his association with Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
The Freedom of the City of London is an ancient tradition dating back to 1237, originally allowing recipients to practice their trade freely within the city. It can be received through nomination, application, inheritance via patrimony, or by the City Corporation as a tribute to significant contributions to London or public life.