A plaque marking a visit by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to Inverness has been removed from the city’s Town House. The plaque dated to 2018, when he visited to commemorate the completion of renovations to the building. Highland Council confirmed it was taken down on Wednesday and placed in storage.
Andrew was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as trade envoy. He has denied any wrongdoing. The King stripped his brother of his titles last October, including that of Earl of Inverness.
Elsewhere in Scotland, councils are reviewing their own connections to the former prince. Dumfries and Galloway Council said it is aware of a plaque at Castle Douglas Primary School marking a visit, but no decision has been taken to remove it. A spokesperson said: “Current matters relating to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor are ongoing and it would be inappropriate for the council to prejudge the outcome of these.”
Clackmannanshire Council is reportedly aware of a paving stone in Alloa marking a visit and will consider the matter. Renfrew councillors have been asked to back a call to rename Andrew Avenue.
There is something quietly telling about the pace at which these plaques are coming down. When the titles were stripped, things moved slowly. Now that criminal charges are in the picture, councils that were previously content to wait and see are finding their sense of urgency. Whether the plaque ends up back on the wall or in a skip will depend on what happens in court. For now, storage it is.