Sarah Ferguson stripped of Freedom of the City of York honour as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor fallout deepens
Sarah Ferguson has lost a decades-old honour linked to her marriage to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as scrutiny around her actions continues.
Sarah Ferguson has been stripped of an honorary Freedom of the City of York title, in the latest sign that institutions are moving to distance themselves from controversy-plagued royal figures.
Councillors voted to revoke the honour, which had been granted to Ferguson alongside then-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a wedding gift, reinforcing what some royal watchers see as an ongoing recalibration of public-facing titles tied to the York name.
Former prince Andrew had the same civic honour removed in 2022, as scrutiny surrounding his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein intensified.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
“This was the right decision to take to maintain the integrity and standing of this important York honour,” City of York Council Labour leader Claire Douglas said.
Ferguson was also stripped of her Duchess of York title in October, part of a broader effort by the King to reshape how royal titles are used. Similarly, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was also stripped of all royal titles and honours.
While the removal of civic honours is rare, the decision reflects a growing sensitivity around the reputational value of royal affiliations, as institutions seek to preserve the prestige of historic titles in an era of heightened public scrutiny.
The latest development comes amid renewed attention on Ferguson’s public profile, with speculation surrounding her recent absence from public engagements following Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
This week, Ferguson was at the centre of bizarre claims she had explored plans to clone the late Queen’s corgis as part of a television project, allegations her representatives strongly rejected.
“Ms Ferguson regularly receives varied TV offers and proposals – often for reality shows which she always declines,” Ferguson’s representative said in a statement to People.
“To be absolutely clear, she declined the proposal regarding a reality TV show involving the late Queen’s corgis.
“She received the proposal following some initial conversations with Halcyon Media to discuss a potential program on dogs generally.
“But conversations ended following her declining the opportunity suggested.”
Ferguson has remained closely associated with the Queen’s corgis, Sandy and Muick, since the monarch’s death in September 2022, caring for the dogs alongside her former husband.
