An island named in honor of former prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is poised to undergo a name change following his recent arrest on his 66th birthday. The ex-Duke was taken into custody on suspicions of misconduct in public office and later released pending further investigation after authorities searched his residences in Norfolk and Windsor. Andrew has been stripped of his royal titles and privileges as discussions arise about his removal from the royal succession line. The small island in Canada, known as ‘Prince Andrew Island,’ situated on the Otonabee River in Ontario alongside Gordonstoun Island, faces a renaming process in light of recent events.
The mayor of Selwyn Township, Sherry Senis, where the islands are situated, has confirmed that steps are being taken to explore the formal procedures necessary to rename Prince Andrew and Gordonstoun islands within Selwyn Township. This process is anticipated to take several months and will involve submitting a formal application to the Ontario Geographic Naming Board.
The Curve Lake First Nation, the local Ojibwa community, will be involved in the discussions regarding the potential new name for the island in the upcoming week. The efforts to rename the island have sparked broader conversations beyond this specific location.
Andrew’s connection to Canada dates back to 1977 when he spent six months in the country attending Lakefield College School in Ontario, which is in close proximity to the island. Although he had served as a trustee and honorary chair of the school’s foundation in the past, those roles ended some years ago.
Several roads in Canada also bear the ex-prince’s name, including Prince Andrew Drive in the semi-rural Caledon neighborhood of the Greater Toronto Area, which is now under review. The Town of Caledon has stated that any reconsideration of a municipal street name would require a formal review process and input from the public.
The recent events surrounding Andrew’s 66th birthday, spent in police custody, have shed light on a stark contrast to his previous extravagant celebrations. Andrew was detained at the Sandringham Estate by unmarked police cars in the early hours of Thursday, appearing bewildered as he was taken to Aylsham Police Investigation Centre.
Reports indicate that Andrew was allowed a single luxury on his birthday while in custody – a cup of Yorkshire Tea. Sources suggest that the quality of tea offered to him depended on the officers’ discretion, indicating a possible gesture of goodwill given his behavior.
This significant development comes amidst ongoing discussions and considerations regarding the ex-prince’s actions and the potential impact on various aspects of his past associations and public recognition.
