People Of York Want Duke Of York To Be Stripped Of Title
Residents of the city of York have called for Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, to be stripped of his title.
Prince Andrew was recently embroiled in a sexual assault case, brought against him by Virginia Roberts Giuffre under the New York Child's Victim Act.
Giuffre claimed that she had been forced to meet with the royal on three separate occasions when she was just 17, by convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Prince Andrew and Giuffre have since reached a 'settlement in principle,' with the Queen expected to help cover the cost. But while the Queen has already stripped her son of military titles as a result of the case, the people of York have requested that Andrew now also be stripped of his Duke of York title.
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Prince Andrew was first given the title of Duke of York in 1986 on his wedding day to Sarah Ferguson.
Citing his relationship with Epstein, residents of York have previously spoken out about the 'deep hurt and embarrassment' that Prince Andrew has caused them, MailOnline reports.
A local retailer in the city, Phil Pinder told York Press: 'York deserves better. He has been stripped of his royal duties; he has done a settlement out of court ending the prospect of any kind of legal clearing of his name so the only option is for him to permanently step down as the Duke of York as well.'
Pinder went on to suggest the city 'deserves another royal to represent it instead'. 'Shall we be controversial and ask for Harry?' he said.
It was also questioned by Head of York Retail Forum David Skaith as to why Prince Andrew should remain the Duke of York when he has been stripped of his military titles and been told to step back from royal duties.
A resident of the city tweeted: 'He's never really done anything for York. I don't think of him as representing us. But in our long history I'm sure we've had a few wrong uns.'
Simon Lock, who lives in Elvington, took to Twitter to say: 'From a York point of view, how embarrassing is it to be represented by such a man? If he doesn't hand it back voluntarily then the Queen should take it.'
In response to the sexual assault case brought against Prince Andrew, York Central MP Rachel Maskell previously called for Prince Andrew to be disassociated from the city.
However, Maskell said she 'welcomed' Andrew's 'pledge [...] to support the fight against the evils of sex trafficking and it's victims' by promising to donate to Giuffre's charity.
She added: 'Although it is a relief that Prince Andrew has finally acknowledged and expressed regret for his close association with a convicted sex offender and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, his long delay in doing so and initial response to the charges and Ms Giuffre have been source of deep hurt and embarrassment to many people across the city.
'Carrying a title does create an ambassadorial relationship with that place, and for somewhere with a global reputation, such as York, this is extremely important.
'[...] To demonstrate his seriousness in this endeavour, and his respect for those affected by abuse and the people of our city, I would ask that his first act of contrition is to confirm his support for the withdrawal of his ducal title.'
Maskell also quoted a poll from The Press newspaper, which suggested 88% of residents approved the removal of Prince Andrew's title.
While there is 'currently no legal route by which this can be achieved', Maskell has recently campaigned for legislation for people to be able to vote on the matter to be passed in parliament, bringing into question the manner of how geographical locations are assigned to certain aristocratic titles.
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Topics: UK News, Prince Andrew
Poppy Bilderbeck