Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
In a bold move, a town in Northern Ireland is set to erase the name of Prince Andrew from one of its key roads, a decision stemming from increasing public dissatisfaction over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This change follows closely on the heels of King Charles III stripping his brother of royal titles and public duties.
The council governing Mid and East Antrim, which oversees Carrickfergus—located roughly 16 kilometers northeast of Belfast—unanimously voted for this change on Monday, leading to the renaming of Prince Andrew Way.
Local councillor Aaron Skinner, a proponent of the motion, emphasized that the new name should embody the community's values. He asserted that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, as the ex-prince is now known, “no longer aligns with what Carrickfergus represents.” Given the Royal Family's decisive actions in recent weeks, the town deemed it appropriate to act similarly.
Community members largely approved the move, with some expressing confusion as to why it hadn’t occurred sooner. One local care worker, 41, remarked that Virginia Giuffre’s recent book was “damning” and indicated that the street's name should have changed much earlier. Another long-standing resident stated that retaining the name had cast a negative light on the community.
Significantly, one of the street signs displaying Andrew’s name had been vandalized, illustrating escalating discontent among residents.
The council is now considering alternative names, including the possibility of honoring Princess Catherine or the late Queen Elizabeth II. A public consultation will take place in the upcoming months before reaching a final conclusion.
While several councils in England are pondering similar actions, Carrickfergus stands out as the first UK town to formally rename a street associated with the former prince.
English
