Should Prince Andrew Drive be renamed? Here's what residents think

Friday, 31 October 2025 19:52

By Tom Parmenter, national correspondent

"I hate it," Shirley told us.

Every time she has to give her address, it leads to a snide remark or joke at her expense.

She's lived on Prince Andrew Drive in Telford, Shropshire, for 35 years.

As the national scandal around Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - as he is now called - has deepened, it has become increasingly embarrassing for her.

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A few years ago, another resident started a petition to change the name of the road, and somebody covered up part of the street sign.

"I think we should change it," Shirley told us, "but don't ask me what to."

After a few minutes weighing up the options, she settled on Prince George Drive.

"At least that looks to the future," she added.

Linda Boden has lived on the road even longer - she and husband Phil moved here after getting married 45 years ago.

"We have actually had the conversation this morning, that the name of this road will get changed," Linda said.

Phil told us he wasn't bothered about the name. "It's just a name, it's not the man… I can't tell you what I think [about him] without swearing you know."

Cheryl, who lives nearby, told us what really mattered to her were the victims of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal - particularly the late Virginia Giuffre.

"That poor girl needs justice," she said. "It is ridiculous it has gone on this long to be perfectly honest. That poor family are still living with it."

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Julie Harper lives on the adjacent road, called Queen Elizabeth Way, and is more than happy with her road name.

She told Sky News that the King had made the "best decision ever" by removing his brother's titles.

I asked where her sympathies lay within this long-running royal scandal and Julie was unequivocal.

"With anybody who has been sexually exploited," she said bluntly.

Julie believes Princess Anne Drive would be a better name for her neighbours' road.

"She's one of the better ones," she added.

Changing the road name would be a logistical headache for local authorities and residents, with some telling us it did not bother them and they would not fancy the extra paperwork to amend things such as household bills and driving licences.

But Postman Gary told us every time he's making deliveries on Prince Andrew Drive, he feels for the residents.

"We have a little giggle because we know they don't want it named that anymore and I wouldn't either if I lived here. It's probably time it changed."

We did not find anyone on Prince Andrew Drive who disagreed with the King's decision to remove his titles and oust him from his home in Windsor.

The monarchy needs to retain the support of the public across the UK - that's one of the reasons the King has taken such decisive action at this point in the scandal.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2025: Should Prince Andrew Drive be renamed? Here's what residents think

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