The then-Duke and Duchess of York, seen here with former mayor Hazel McCallion during a tour of the Art Gallery of Mississauga in 1987. The couple was in the city to help open the Mississauga Civic Centre. (Photo: Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives)

It was nearly 40 years ago that England’s disgraced former prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was in Mississauga to help officially open the city’s new civic centre.

On Thursday, his 66th birthday, the brother of King Charles III was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Last fall, Buckingham Palace announced the process of removing Andrew’s “style, titles and honours” had been initiated as part of the continuing fallout from his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019 in a New York City jail cell.

While Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with his friendship with Epstein, concerns about Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to the late financier have dogged the royal family for more than a decade.

Thames Valley Police said a man in his 60s from Norfolk in eastern England was arrested on Thursday and remained in custody. The force, which covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, did not identify the suspect, in line with standard procedures in Britain, but pointed to the statement when asked to confirm if Andrew was arrested.

Mountbatten-Windsor had moved to King Charles III’s estate in Norfolk after he was evicted from his longtime home near Windsor Castle earlier this month.

After the arrest, Charles said that the law must take its course in the investigation of his brother.

Mississauga’s city hall opened in 1987

It was July 18, 1987 and the former prince and duke, along with his wife at the time, (former duchess) Sarah Ferguson, were in Mississauga to help mark the occasion of the official opening of the Mississauga Civic Centre (aka city hall).

Shortly after the royal visit, Duke of York Boulevard, located just east of both city hall and the Living Arts Centre, was named for Andrew, son of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

While the royal-inspired street name remains, despite several discussions at city council in recent years to rename the downtown boulevard, Mississauga council decided this past November to permanently remove any connection between the prominent street and the disgraced former British prince.

The city decided to keep the boulevard’s name but “reassociate” it, “removing its connection from the individual Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in keeping with the actions taken by Buckingham Palace,” a motion adopted by council last November stated.

Council at the time also decided to:

Immediately remove all other honours including plaques or non-critical wayfinding signage associated with Andrew, former Duke of York, from City of Mississauga-owned property.
Direct senior city staff to report back with other considerations on combatting human trafficking after engagement with relevant groups and agencies in Peel.

Back in 2022, shortly after Andrew had his royal duties and military titles taken from him, Mississauga city councillors at the time spoke about changing the Duke of York Boulevard name. However, nothing came of that discussion.

Duke of York Boulevard runs from Webb Drive, just south of Burnhamthorpe Road West, north to Centre View Drive to the immediate south of Highway 403.

— with files from The Canadian Press/The Associated Press


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