Officials in the English city of York have stripped Sarah Ferguson, the former wife of Prince Andrew, of the ceremonial “Freedom of the City” honour following revelations about her ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The decision was approved unanimously by the city council on Thursday during a brief vote held at York’s historic Guildhall. Local leaders said the move was necessary because recipients of the honour are expected to uphold values consistent with the distinction.
Claire Douglas, leader of York City Council, said those who maintained associations with Epstein after his crimes became widely known fell short of those expectations. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal trafficking charges.
Ferguson, often known as “Fergie,” received the honour in 1987 shortly after marrying Prince Andrew, who was stripped of the same title in 2022 due to his own links to Epstein. Andrew was later stripped of his royal titles in October and reportedly moved from the Windsor estate to a royal property in eastern Norfolk.
Recently released documents from the U.S. Justice Department suggested Ferguson maintained friendly ties with Epstein even after his 2008 conviction related to trafficking and sex with a minor. The disclosures have intensified scrutiny around figures connected to the financier.
The scandal has also damaged Ferguson’s public standing. Several charities have cut ties with her, and in February her humanitarian organisation, Sarah’s Trust, announced it would close.
Public reaction in York has been mixed. Some residents supported the council’s decision as a necessary step to protect the city’s reputation, while others appeared indifferent, saying issues such as rising living costs were more pressing than royal controversies.
The “Freedom of the City” honour in York dates back to the 13th century. While once granting privileges such as grazing livestock, it is now largely symbolic and awarded to individuals the city wishes to recognise for service or distinction.