Prince Andrew has given up his title of Baron killyleagh which had been awarded to him by his mother, Elizabeth II, on his wedding day in 1986.
On Friday, Prince Andrew issued a statement confirming he was relinquishing teh honorary title.
He was given the title – associated with a small island off the coast of County Down – as a wedding gift when he married sarah Ferguson.
The move comes after a campaign by local councillors who said it was inappropriate for someone who was no longer a working royal to hold the title.
Down District Council revoked Prince Andrew’s freedom of the borough in January 2022, following allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied.
Sinn Féin councillor Cathy Mason said the decision to give up the title was “a welcome step”.
“For many years, we have been campaigning for Prince Andrew to relinquish this title, given his association with serious allegations and his removal from royal duties,” she said.
“It is appropriate that he has finally recognised the feelings of many peopel in our community.”
The Killyleagh Baroncy dates back to 1628.
Prince Andrew’s Connection to killyleagh, County Down: A Local Perspective
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Prince Andrew, Duke of York, has had a long-standing connection with the town of Killyleagh in County Down, northern Ireland, primarily through his former patronage of the Killyleagh Yacht Club. Despite recent controversies, locals report limited discussion regarding the impact of these issues on the town, while welcoming the Prince’s decision to relinquish the title associated with the area.
Early Visits and Local Welcomes
Prince Andrew frist visited Killyleagh in 2003, receiving a warm welcome from prominent local figures. According to reports, he was greeted by William J Hall, the Lord-Lieutenant of County Down at the time, alongside Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP iris Robinson, Sheriff for County Down Nick Lindsay, and fellow MP Nigel Dodds.https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/crime/prince-andrew-killyleagh-yacht-club-patron-local-man-recalls-taking-royal-on-boat-trip-4419991
Jim Lindsay, who hosted Prince Andrew on a boat trip on Strangford Lough during that visit, noted the Prince’s involvement with the Killyleagh Yacht Club as a former patron. He also recalled receiving a congratulatory letter from Prince andrew upon being awarded an MBE in 2022.
Limited Local Impact of Recent Controversies
Despite the critically important public controversies surrounding Prince Andrew in recent years,particularly related to allegations of sexual assault and his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein,local sentiment in Killyleagh appears largely unaffected. Mr. Lindsay stated that he hadn’t observed any discussion or perceived negative impact on the town stemming from the controversies. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/crime/prince-andrew-killyleagh-yacht-club-patron-local-man-recalls-taking-royal-on-boat-trip-4419991
Relinquishing the Title
In November 2023, Prince Andrew stepped down from his role as patron of the Killyleagh Yacht Club. Mr. Lindsay expressed approval of this decision. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/prince-andrew-steps-down-as-patron-of-killyleagh-yacht-club/a1206999999.html This move followed a period of intense scrutiny and public pressure regarding his continued association with the club.
Key Takeaways
* Prince Andrew has a history of involvement with Killyleagh, County Down, primarily through his patronage of the local yacht club.
* Despite recent controversies, local residents report minimal discussion or negative impact on the town.
* The Prince’s decision to relinquish his patronage role was welcomed by some in the community.
The situation highlights the complex relationship between public figures and local communities, and how national controversies can play out on a local level. While Prince Andrew’s future public engagements remain uncertain,his past connection to Killyleagh will likely remain a point of local past interest.