·                City Corporation shows solidarity with victims and survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation

·                City Corporation Members instruct officers to pursue steps to lawfully remove Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom of the City

·                Court of Common Council expresses disappointment after Mountbatten-Windsor fails to relinquish Freedom of the City voluntarily

The City of London Corporation’s Court of Common Council, its highest decision-making body, has today passed a motion of censure - a formal expression of disapproval - against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after he failed to respond to its letter inviting him to relinquish his Freedom of the City of London.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor inherited the Freedom in 2012 by virtue of patrimony, as the child of a Freeman. Notwithstanding the difficulties in removing this, elected members today instructed officers to pursue such steps that would be lawful to remove the Freedom of the City of London from Mr Mountbatten-Windsor. 
 
The City Corporation’s thoughts remain firmly with the victims and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and all victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. 

The Court recorded the following key points: 

1.    That it considers Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s association with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to be wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with the status and obligations of a Freeman of the City of London. 

2.    To instruct Officers to commence such proceedings as are necessary to enable this Court to lawfully remove the Freedom of the City from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

3.    Its profound disappointment that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has not surrendered his Freedom despite being asked to do so.

4.    Its solidarity and support for Epstein’s victims and survivors and all victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.

ENDS 

Notes for Editors: 

About the City of London Corporation: 

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

The full wording of the motion is below:

“The Court of Common Council notes with the utmost dismay Andrew Mountbatten- Windsor’s association with the convicted paedophile, the late Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislane Maxwell. 

“Whilst it recognises that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor maintains that he has done nothing wrong, it nevertheless considers that his well-publicised association with Epstein is wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with his status and obligations as a Freeman of the City of London. 

“In the circumstances, and in solidarity with Epstein’s victims and survivors, the Court wishes to remove Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom consistent with decisions already taken by His Majesty the King and other military and civil bodies to strip him of his offices and honours. 

“The Court has received, with considerable disappointment, the legal advice of the Comptroller and City Solicitor and the City Remembrancer that it lacks the legal power to remove the Freedom of the City from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor due to the fact that his Freedom is not an honour or office but a property right protected under both domestic law and the European Convention on Human Rights. Notwithstanding this disappointment the Court respects it is bound by the rule of law. 

“The Court further notes that following a resolution of the Policy and Resources Committee which considered this matter on 16th April 2026, the Chamberlain and the Remembrancer wrote to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor requesting that he relinquish his Freedom. No response has been received to this letter. 

“In the circumstances the Court wishes to record:

1.    That it considers Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s association with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to be wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with the status and obligations of a Freeman of the City of London. 

2.    To instruct Officers to commence such proceedings as are necessary to enable this Court to lawfully remove the Freedom of the City from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

3.    Its profound disappointment that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has not surrendered his Freedom despite being asked to do so.

4.    Its solidarity and support for Epstein’s victims and survivors and all victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.”

About the Freedom of the City of London 

One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.

As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also inherited via patrimony or offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.  

Recent notable recipients include two-time Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian, Cate Blanchett; best-selling novelist, Ken Follett; former British Ambassador to the US, Dame Karen Pierce; City of London Police Special Constable and TV presenter, Penny Lancaster; and actor, Ray Winstone.

ENDS