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City of London Asks Andrew to Return His Freedom of the City

The move highlights how inherited honors cannot be revoked under current rules.

Overview

  • The City of London Corporation said it will write to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to invite him to hand back the honor, citing the lack of a legal way to cancel an inherited Freedom.
  • Freedom of the City is a centuries-old, mostly symbolic recognition, and Andrew received it in 2012 by patrimonial right because his father, Prince Philip, held it.
  • The request continues a pattern of losses for Andrew, after York revoked its city freedom in 2022 and King Charles removed his remaining royal titles in October 2025.
  • Andrew was detained and questioned in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct and later released, and he denies any wrongdoing.
  • Public pressure for distance remains strong, with a Daily Express online poll reporting 1,118 of 1,628 respondents favoring a full royal break with Andrew.