UK city releases letter against ex Prince Andrew: ‘A profound disappointment!’

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has found himself in the midst of muddy criticism once again, after demands went unanswered where he was criticized for not having already surrendered his Freedom of the City of London.

Given his lack of action the City of London itself issued a motion of censure against the ex-Prince Andrew, as part of their formal expression of disapproval over the failure. It als included a letter whereby he was asked to relinquish his freedom of the city by himself.

As part of their letter they also cited how “wholly unacceptable and inconsistent” his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein appears, and added that there was “profound disappointment” among them that Andrew had “not surrendered his Freedom despite being asked to do so”.

For those unversed, a ‘Freedom’ is a property right protected under both domestic law and the European Convention on Human Rights and therefore cannot be forcibly removed, only relinquished.

However, given current circumstances the same council has instructed officers to begin proceedings in order to enable it to “lawfully remove the Freedom of the City from Andrew.”

Their full statement reads, “the Court of Common Council notes with the utmost dismay Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s association with the convicted paedophile, the late Jeffrey Epstein, and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.”

“Whilst it recognises that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor maintains that he has done nothing wrong, it nevertheless considers that his well-publicised association with Epstein is wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with his status and obligations as a Freeman of the City of London.”

“In the circumstances, and in solidarity with Epstein’s victims and survivors, the court wishes to remove Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom consistent with decisions already taken by His Majesty the King and other military and civil bodies to strip him of his offices and honours.”

What is the Freedom of the City?

According to the official City of London website, “The Honorary Freedom is the highest honour the City of London can bestow. Recipients are invited by the Court of Common Council to take the Freedom and the presentation ceremony usually takes place in Guildhall or the Mansion House before the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Common Councillors and invited guests.”

Furthermore, “While most of the practical reasons for obtaining the Freedom of the City have disappeared, it remains a unique part of London’s history, to which many people who live or work in the City are proud to be admitted. To this day, members of the City Livery companies must become Freemen of the City of London before progressing within their Companies as Liverymen. The medieval term 'freeman' meant someone who was not the property of a feudal lord but enjoyed privileges such as the right to earn money and own land. Town dwellers who were protected by the charter of their town or city were often free – hence the term 'freedom' of the City.”