Overview
- Elected members of the City of London Corporation agreed Thursday to write to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor inviting him to relinquish the ceremonial Freedom he holds.
- Andrew received the Freedom in 2012 by patrimony as Prince Philip’s son, which the Corporation describes as a legal right rather than an honour it can vote to revoke.
- Officials say there is no mechanism to strip a patrimony-based Freedom, so they will consider any reply at a future meeting before deciding next steps.
- The move follows his February arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office and renewed scrutiny linked to the US “Epstein files”; he denies wrongdoing and remains under investigation.
- The Freedom of the City is an ancient civic tradition tied to historic trading rights and today is best known for symbolic perks such as walking sheep across London Bridge.