Locals residing in a small town in Scotland are advocating for the preservation of a street named after the scandal-ridden royal figure, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. While many locations across the country have chosen to rename streets connected to the Epstein scandal, the residents of Renfrew, situated six miles west of Glasgow, are in favor of keeping Andrew Avenue unchanged.

Established in the late 1960s and comprising approximately 50 homes, Andrew Avenue is part of a group of streets in the area named after the offspring of the late Queen Elizabeth, including Charles Avenue, Anne Avenue, and Edward Avenue. Last year, the local council initiated a consultation regarding the potential renaming of the street following concerns raised by residents about its association with the former Duke of York, who had recently faced repercussions resulting in the loss of titles and property.

Despite the negative connotations linked to the former prince, residents expressed indifference towards the street’s name during interviews conducted by the BBC. One resident, Yvonne Laidlaw, stated that the name had never sparked any negative thoughts for her, emphasizing the long-standing familiarity of Andrew Avenue in the community.

Concerns about the financial implications and logistical challenges of a name change were highlighted by resident Karena Quaile, who emphasized the inconvenience it would cause in various aspects of daily life. Another resident, Norman Gerrie, echoed similar sentiments, mentioning that while he understood the concerns, the current name did not bother him personally.

Councillor John Shaw, who instigated the consultation process, acknowledged that while some residents expressed discomfort with the association to the former prince, a significant portion favored retaining the existing name. Out of 52 households surveyed, 22 responded, with a majority indicating opposition to a formal proposal for a name change.

Andrew, now residing in Marsh Farm on the King’s Sandringham estate, has maintained a low profile following recent legal issues. In February, he was briefly arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, related to allegations of sharing confidential information with Epstein during his role as a trade envoy to the UK. Thames Valley Police confirmed an ongoing investigation into the matter.