City of London clears way to strip Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of honour

On Thursday, the corporation’s court of common council, its principal decision-making body, voted to adopt an act of common council granting it the authority to strip recipients of the historic distinction.

The move came after a thorough legal review determined that no effective lawful mechanism had previously existed to remove the honour.

Officers have been directed to begin proceedings against Andrew "as a matter of urgency."

The new procedure includes safeguards requiring that any individual facing removal be notified and offered the chance to submit written representations before a final ruling is reached.

Each case will be assessed on its own merits and in line with the law, the corporation confirmed.

Andrew acquired the freedom in 2012 through patrimony, having inherited it as the child of a freeman.

It remains one of the former prince’s last surviving honours.

Back in May, the corporation publicly rebuked Andrew for refusing to relinquish the distinction voluntarily "despite being asked to do so," prompting officials to seek a formal route to strip it from him.

Chris Hayward, the corporation’s policy chairman, said: "Today, we have approved a lawful and effective process for considering whether the Freedom of the City of London should be removed from an individual."

He added: "This ensures that future decisions are taken fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the law, with appropriate safeguards in place for all parties involved."

Hayward confirmed that the newly established procedure would be applied without delay to the case of the former prince, stating: "The process will now be followed as a matter of urgency to ensure that a decision is made in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom."

The freedom of the City of London ranks among the capital’s most ancient traditions, with its origins believed to date back to 1237.

In March, Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson was stripped of her honorary freedom of the City of York due to her links to Jeffrey Epstein.