COUNCILS have been ordered to fly the Union flag for Prince Andrew’s birthday – despite him being stripped of all royal titles.
Latest advice to local government lists February 19, the Duke of York‘s special day, as an occasion to publicly celebrate.
This time in 2020, the Government was forced to carry out an embarrassing climb down over the same issue.
The Celeb Report revealed that an email had been sent to councils reminding them to display the Union flag on February 19 to mark the Duke’s 60th.
Following backlash at Andrew’s exit from royal duties over his links to paedo Jeffrey Epstein, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport advised this is not a requirement.
But despite that, guidance to local councils has still not been updated to remove the Duke of York’s birthday from designated flag-bearing days.
Prince Andrew’s birthday is the next designated occasion when “the Union Flag must be flown on UK government buildings by command of Her Majesty the Queen”.
Furious local government figures hit out at having to celebrate a man “accused of heinous sex crimes”.
One angry local government chief executive told The Celeb Report: “It’s ridiculous that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport hasn’t removed the Duke of York from the guidance.
“Prince Andrew has essentially been stripped of his Royal status.”
Virginia Giuffre claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times between 1999 and 2002 — in London, New York and on Epstein’s private Caribbean island.
Ms Giuffre, now 38, has filed a battery and infliction of emotional distress lawsuit against Andrew.
Andrew has always strongly denied all allegations made against him.
Earlier this month Belfast City Council agreed not to fly the union flag on Prince Andrew’s birthday.
Instead, councillors decided that the union flag should be flown on 1 July to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. The move was agreed without a vote.
But the Duke of York’s birthday will be marked by other councils across the UK unless there is a last-gasp change of heart from the government.
In 2020, after our initial story, ministers caved in with Liverpool City Council refusing to obey the Prince Andrew celebration diktat.
The Royal Household and government figures held talks — with the final decision thought to have been signed off by the Queen.
At the time Graham Smith, of anti-monarchy group Republic, said: “This is crass and offensive.
“Even at the best of times, it’s nonsense to fly flags for Andrew’s birthday or anyone’s.
“Councils are struggling to provide core services. They have better things to worry about.”
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson earlier said it was not appropriate.
He added: “Andrew is not a significant member of the Royal Family.”
Westminster Abbey is a Royal Peculiar — subject to the direct jurisdiction of the monarch — and rings its bell for the birthday of the Queen and Prince Philip, their children and some other descendants.
Last night the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, in charge of issuing edicts on flag-flying from government buildings, was contacted for comment.
It follows reports that the Queen will appear alongside Prince Andrew at a remembrance service for Prince Philip.
Royal sources confirmed the Duke of York is expected at the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on March 29.
