Street names linked to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor look set to quietly disappear from Renfrewshire’s map, with councillors preparing to take the first formal steps toward removing his name from local addresses.
A motion submitted by Councillors Shaw and Hughes has put Andrew Avenue in Renfrew at the centre of the debate. The motion, titled “Renaming Andrew Avenue,” notes the “recent stripping of titles from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor by The Crown” and the “ongoing national concern regarding his behaviour and character.”
Councillors argue that having a street named after someone is a “great honour”—one that should be reserved for individuals whose character reflects positively on the community. With Andrew’s status diminished and his public reputation in freefall, the motion calls for the council to consider alternatives.
If approved, officers will begin a consultation with residents of Andrew Avenue on whether they wish the street to be renamed. Any future change would be subject to that local feedback.
But Andrew Avenue may not be the only location under scrutiny. Other Renfrewshire roads carrying similar names—, St Andrews Crescent, and St Andrew’s Drive, all in Paisley—are expected to face future motions if the Renfrew Avenue trial run proceeds smoothly. While the latter two reference the saint rather than the Duke of York, councillors must privately acknowledge that public confusion over the names may spark further discussion.
For now, all eyes turn to the residents of Andrew Avenue which sits in the Royal section of Renfrew that includes other streets Charles Avenue, Anne Avenue and Edward Avenue. The consultation promises to be the first test of whether Renfrewshire is ready to rebrand its streets—and how far the appetite for distancing from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor really goes.
The motion will go to council on Thursday 11th December.
Paisley Photographs 