Should Prince Andrew remain Earl of Inverness? Highland Council refuses to take a stance

By Nicola Sinclair, Local Democracy Reporter

March 9 2022, 12:16 pm

Councillor Ron MacWilliam wants Prince Andrew to give up his Earl of Inverness title. Photo: Sandy McCook/DCT Media

Highland Council has vowed it will not voice any opinion on the row over Prince Andrew’s Earl of Inverness title.

SNP councillor Ron MacWilliam has submitted a question to the full meeting of the Highland Council tomorrow.

Councillor MacWilliam asked council leader Margaret Davidson: “Do you agree that Prince Andrew has proven himself unfit to hold the title Earl of Inverness?”

Ms Davidson’s response states: “The council has not taken a position on this matter.”

City region deal — Leader of Highland Council Margaret Davidson.

Last month, Mr MacWilliam wrote to the Queen, asking her to make a commitment that Prince Andrew would not publicly use his Scottish title.

He called on all Inverness politicians to make their opinions known.

No public money used in settlement

Out of 32 Inverness elected members, 13 said Prince Andrew should be stripped of the title. However, this would require an Act of Parliament.

The civil sexual assault case against Prince Andrew was officially closed yesterday, after he paid a financial settlement to Virginia Giuffre.

The settlement sparked controversy but the Treasury confirmed on Tuesday that no public money was used to pay it.