Legislative Overhaul for Ceremonial Honours
The City of London Corporation has initiated a formal legislative process to create a new legal mechanism capable of stripping Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of the ‘Freedom of the City of London’ honour. Legal officers at the Corporation have concluded that existing protocols for revoking such titles are ‘defective and defunct,’ rendering current attempts to remove the honour legally unenforceable.
This development follows months of internal debate and failed informal attempts to resolve the matter. In April, the Corporation sent a formal request to Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor inviting him to voluntarily relinquish the honour, yet no response was received. Consequently, the Court of Common Council passed a motion of censure in May, expressing ‘profound disappointment’ at his refusal to step down voluntarily.
Constitutional and Procedural Hurdles
During a July 23 session of the Court, Policy chairman Deputy Chris Hayward provided an update on the progress of the legal review. He noted that the City Solicitor and the City Remembrancer are currently drafting an ‘Act of Common Council’ to grant the body the necessary legal authority to disenfranchise holders of the Freedom. Mr. Hayward emphasized that the legal officers have warned of ‘significant constitutional implications,’ requiring careful deliberation to ensure the new process is robust and free from unintended legal consequences.
The Corporation has stressed a strict procedural separation: members must first finalize the general legislative mechanism for disenfranchisement before addressing the specific case of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor. This two-stage approach is intended to ensure fairness and legal compliance. A draft bill is expected to be presented to the Policy and Resources Committee in September, with a potential vote by the full Court in October.
Context of Ongoing Investigations
The move to strip the honour occurs against the backdrop of significant legal pressure on Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor. He was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office—a case currently under investigation by Thames Valley Police—and was subsequently released without charge. The investigation is reportedly exploring allegations of sexual misconduct and the potential unauthorized sharing of sensitive information with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein during Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s tenure as a UK trade envoy.
The ‘Freedom of the City’ is a ceremonial honour dating back to 1237. While largely symbolic, allowing recipients to walk sheep over London Bridge, the Corporation views its removal as a matter of significant public interest, particularly given its stated focus on the victims and survivors of sexual exploitation. Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor, who was granted the status by patrimony in 2012, has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.