The Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has unanimously voted to rename Prince Andrew Way, a main road in the historic coastal town of Carrickfergus, marking the first such move by a UK local authority in response to the disgraced royal's ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision, approved on Monday, follows King Charles III's formal stripping of his younger brother's royal titles earlier this month, relegating him to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and effectively barring him from public duties. Councillor Aaron Skinner, who championed the proposal, stated that the former prince "no longer represents the values of Carrickfergus," aligning the council's action with the monarchy's own distancing efforts amid ongoing scrutiny over Andrew's past associations.

The street, located 10 miles northeast of Belfast in a town famed for its 12th-century Norman castle, was christened Prince Andrew Way in 1986 to celebrate Andrew's marriage to Sarah Ferguson. At the time, the naming symbolized royal prestige in a region navigating post-Troubles reconciliation. However, Andrew's friendship with Epstein—who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges—and allegations of sexual assault by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who recently passed away, have tarnished that legacy. Giuffre's memoir, which detailed her claims against Andrew (whom he has consistently denied), has been cited by locals as a tipping point, with one resident, 41-year-old care worker Lesley Rockett, telling AFP, "The street should have been renamed as soon as the Virginia Giuffre book was published... it's really damning in my opinion."

The unanimous vote reflects broad community support, with residents like 68-year-old retired worker William Foster arguing it "reflects on the local community, so should be changed," though some express concerns over costs and impacts on local businesses. Signs bearing the name have already faced vandalism, including one daubed with black paint months ago, underscoring simmering discontent. Skinner noted the process won't be straightforward, requiring consultations with statutory bodies including the Royal Household, but emphasized, "If it's good enough for the King to do that, then it's good enough for us." A public consultation is slated for the coming months, with potential new names including Princess Catherine Way, Queen Elizabeth II Way, or even Prince Edward Way to maintain a royal theme while honoring figures untainted by scandal.

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The Carrickfergus decision could set a precedent across the UK, where several English councils have indicated they are reviewing similar namings, though none have yet voted. Andrew's Epstein links, including a 2010 photograph of him with Giuffre and a settled 2022 civil lawsuit, have long fueled calls for such changes, highlighting evolving public standards on historical honors tied to modern ethical reckonings. As the council advances, the move underscores Northern Ireland's commitment to community values over outdated affiliations, potentially inspiring broader reevaluations of royal commemorations in the post-Epstein era.

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