Venues throughout the North East of England are severing ties with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, previously known as Prince Andrew, following his recent arrest on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. The former Duke of York was apprehended at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk last week and has since been released on bail. He continues to deny any wrongdoing in connection with his association with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. In November, King Charles formally stripped Andrew of his royal titles.
As a result, several organizations and businesses in the region have begun removing plaques commemorating events that Andrew attended. His visits to the North East included the openings of significant venues such as the Trinity Square shopping centre in Gateshead and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
Regional Institutions Distance Themselves
Trinity Square’s Centre Manager, Sharron Ashurst, confirmed the removal of the plaque commemorating Andrew’s role in its opening in 2014. The decision was made after careful consideration, with Ashurst stating, “While we acknowledge the historical nature of our opening event, we recognise that retaining the plaque could cause concern or distraction for our shoppers and visitors.” This decision aligns with the centre’s commitment to uphold values that foster a welcoming environment for all.
The £150 million Trinity Square development was hailed as a significant boost for Gateshead, creating around 1,500 jobs. During the opening, Andrew expressed his admiration for the redevelopment efforts in the area, stating, “It’s a privilege to learn what a wonderful effort everybody has put in to the redevelopment of this whole area.”
Sunderland AFC confirmed in 2022 that the plaque marking Andrew’s visit during the opening of the Stadium of Light in 1997 had also been removed. The stadium had replaced the club’s former ground, Roker Park, and Andrew was reportedly hosted for dinner in one of the stadium’s function suites during his visit.
Impact on Academic Institutions
Newcastle University has similarly distanced itself from the former prince. In 2010, Andrew officially opened the student and administrative services building at the university, a visit that was particularly meaningful to him as his daughter, Princess Eugenie, was a student there at the time. He unveiled a plaque marking the occasion, but the university confirmed that this plaque was removed in 2019.
These actions reflect a broader trend among public institutions and enterprises in the North East to reassess their associations following Andrew’s legal troubles. The decisions to remove the plaques are part of efforts to maintain community trust and align with the values of inclusivity and integrity that many organizations strive to uphold.
As institutions continue to evaluate their historical ties with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the North East serves as a case study of how public sentiment can shift in response to significant events involving public figures.
