Residents living on streets named after the commoner formerly known as Prince Andrew are growing increasingly desperate for a change. The disgraced royal, who has been stripped of his titles by King Charles, is causing daily humiliation and frustration for those living on streets bearing his name.
Tom Kirk, a resident of Prince Andrew Road in Maidenhead, Berkshire, expressed his embarrassment, stating that simply mentioning his address raises eyebrows. Similar sentiments are echoed by residents on other streets named after Andrew Windsor, who feel that the unwanted attention has become a grim reality of their daily lives.
Stacy Baldry, who resides on Prince Andrew’s Road in Norwich, shared her discomfort, saying she is relieved they do not plan to stay there permanently as they do not want any association with the disgraced royal. Older residents, like John Pearson of Prince Andrew Road in Broadstairs, Kent, find the connection intolerable and insulting.
However, changing the street names is not a simple task. Local councils warn that renaming streets requires unanimous agreement from residents, consultation with emergency services and Royal Mail, and could result in significant costs for homeowners. Despite these bureaucratic hurdles, pressure is mounting as residents feel trapped in their association with Prince Andrew.
Some residents have reported incidents of vandalism and “dirty protests” on the road signs, further adding to their distress. The presence of selfie-taking tourists has only heightened the residents’ discomfort, with some feeling like they are living in a constant state of humiliation.
While local officials acknowledge the upset caused by the street names, they stress the need for a fair and thorough process in changing them. Residents, on the other hand, believe that the hesitancy to change the names is more about the fear of cost rather than a genuine consideration of their views.
Campaigners argue that councils should absorb the costs of renaming streets that have become distressing to residents. They believe that if King Charles can strip Andrew’s titles, then the streets named after him should also be renamed to reflect the King’s decision.
In conclusion, residents living on streets bearing Prince Andrew’s name are facing daily humiliation, frustration, and discomfort. They are calling for a change to reflect the shifting attitudes towards the disgraced royal and ensure that they no longer have to endure the association with him.
