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Belfast Live
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Sheena McStravick

Eamonn Holmes says public think of Prince Andrew as 'busted flush'

Eamonn Holmes has hit out at Prince Andrew saying the public see him as a 'busted flush'.

The TV presenter was speaking in response to reports claiming that councillors in York want to strip him of the freedom of the city which was awarded to him in 1987.

One councillor went further and said the next logical step is to remove his Duke of York title.

Read more: Eamonn Holmes hails wife Ruth as 'unsung hero' in touching video

Speaking on Breakfast with Eamonn and Isabel on GB News, Eamonn pointed out that his reputation would remain in tatters as the public see him as "a busted flush" who "isn't wanted".

Reflecting on what role if any the Prince now plays in the Royal family, Eamonn added he imagined if anyone were invited to an event where he was present 'everyone would run a mile.'

He asked royal expert Rafe Heydel-Mankoo: “How important would that be to the Duke of York and how much of a blow would it be if he were to lose his title?"

Prince Andrew, The Duke of York (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Rafe replied: "Well there's no greater honour than honorary freedom, and in the case of York it's been held by some powerful figures, Churchill, the Duke of Wellington, they've all received this honour.

"So it's quite understandable that given the events of the past two years it's undoubtedly the case that he's bringing the title and the honour and the city into disrepute.

"He got it in 1987, and there's now also a call, of course, for him to lose his peerage title as Duke of York.

"Whilst it's very easy to get rid of honorary freedom, getting rid of a peerage title is a lot, lot more difficult."

Isabel asked if the Queen would make the ultimate decision to remove his title, Raif said: "Actually that's not the case.

“The Queen and the Government can remove most honours, but a peerage title is a different animal altogether, it requires an act of parliament to remove it, the Queen can't do it herself.

"The last time that was done was in 1917 during World War One with the titles deprivation act which was an act to remove titles from German princes."

Read more: Eamonn Holmes on how he copes with chronic pain

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