Overview
- City of London Corporation, which wrote to him in April, said Tuesday it will bring a motion of censure to the Court of Common Council on May 21 after he did not respond.
- He has held the Freedom since 2012 through patrimony because Prince Philip was a Freeman, making it a legal entitlement rather than a discretionary award.
- The corporation says there is no effective legal mechanism to strip someone of the Freedom and voiced support for victims of sexual abuse.
- The former duke was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, detained for 11 hours, and released under investigation; he denies wrongdoing.
- The censure follows earlier reputational penalties, including the loss of royal styles and honours in 2025, and some outlets report ministers may explore legislation, though no change has been enacted.