Prince Andrew has officially given up his title of Baron Killyleagh, a title bestowed upon him by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of his wedding in 1986. In a personal statement released on Friday, the prince announced his decision to relinquish all royal titles, including his well-known title of Duke of York. This move follows mounting pressure due to his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Jim Lindsay, the chairman of the Killyleagh Development Association, expressed that Prince Andrew should have surrendered the title of Baron Killyleagh much earlier. Lindsay emphasized the importance of distancing the community from the controversies that have enveloped the prince. In his statement, Andrew maintained that he continues to "vigorously deny the accusations against me." He mentioned discussions with King Charles III and other family members, concluding that the ongoing allegations about him detract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.
Prince Andrew's connection to Killyleagh dates back to 1986 when he first visited the picturesque town located on the shores of Strangford Lough shortly after marrying Sarah Ferguson, from whom he is now separated. His visit was marked by the conferral of the Baron Killyleagh title. The prince returned in 2002 to unveil a statue of Sir Hans Sloane, the founder of the British Museum and a Killyleagh native born in 1660. During that visit, Prince Andrew interacted with community members, including representatives from the town's development association and funders of local regeneration projects.
During his 2002 visit, Jim Lindsay had the opportunity to take Prince Andrew out on his boat on Strangford Lough. The prince was also a former patron of the Killyleagh Yacht Club. Despite the challenges faced by Prince Andrew over the years, Lindsay noted that he had not observed any discussions in Killyleagh regarding the prince's controversies. "There has never been any talk about it or any suggestion that it was damaging to the town," he stated.
However, he welcomed the prince's recent decision to give up the title associated with Killyleagh, viewing it as a positive step for both the prince and the community. With Prince Andrew's resignation of the title, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact his legacy and the connection to Killyleagh, a town that has historically embraced him.
