The City of London Corporation is moving forward with plans that could allow it to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom of the City of London after officials concluded that the existing process is no longer effective.
A draft bill is being prepared to create a lawful mechanism through which the Corporation could withdraw the civic honour. The proposal is expected to be considered by elected members before any decision is made specifically about Andrew’s status.
A Corporation spokesperson told the BBC: “We understand why people want this matter resolved as quickly as possible, and we share that desire.”
The spokesperson continued: “The fastest and most appropriate approach is to put in place a lawful process that allows the City Corporation to make these decisions itself, rather than seeking legislation through Parliament.
“We are progressing that work and, if elected members approve the new process, they will then be able to consider whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom should be removed.”
The development follows a formal motion of censure passed by the City Corporation’s Court of Common Council in May. Members also instructed officials to pursue the legal steps needed to enable the Court to remove Andrew’s Freedom.
The Corporation said at the time that Andrew had failed to respond to a letter asking him to relinquish the honour voluntarily.
Andrew received the Freedom of the City of London in 2012 through patrimony because his father, Prince Philip, was a Freeman. The centuries-old Freedom can be inherited through patrimony or awarded to recognise a person’s contribution to London, public life or a significant achievement.
However, officials have said there is currently no effective lawful mechanism for removing Andrew’s Freedom. The proposed changes would allow the Corporation to make such decisions itself without seeking separate legislation through Parliament.
The draft bill is expected to go before the Policy and Resources Committee in September and the Court of Common Council in October. If the new process is approved, a further report could then give members the opportunity to consider removing Andrew’s Freedom.
The move adds to a series of setbacks for Andrew following years of scrutiny over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied allegations of wrongdoing.
In November 2025, King Charles formally removed Andrew’s entitlement to use the style of His Royal Highness and the titles of Prince and Duke of York. He is now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Any removal of the Freedom of the City is not yet automatic. The draft process must first receive approval from elected members before the Corporation can formally consider Andrew’s position.
For now, Andrew continues to hold the Freedom, but the latest development brings the City closer to establishing a legal route through which it could be withdrawn.