A Northern Ireland town is to rename a street named after former Prince Andrew. The local community will decide the new name

A local council in Northern Ireland decided on Monday to start proceedings to rename a street named after Britain's former Prince Andrew, becoming the first local authority in the United Kingdom to take such a step after King Charles' decision to withdraw his brother from public life, writes Reuters.

Last month, the king stripped Andrew of his princely title and evicted him from his residence in an attempt to limit the damage to the royal family's image over his links to the since-deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Residents in other areas of the UK have also called on local councils to rename streets named after Andrew.

Councilors in Mid and East Antrim, Northern Ireland, unanimously agreed at a meeting to start proceedings to change the name of Prince Andrew Way in Carrickfergus and to consult the local community on a new name.

“It's a sad but necessary motion,” Anna Henry, a councilor from the Traditional Unionist Voice party, told the meeting.

“Unfortunately, the alleged actions of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor make it impossible for this council to continue to honor him in the way the people of Mid and East Antrim have done in the past.”

The motion submitted by councilor Lauren Gray, from the Alliance Party, proposes that the street be renamed in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth, considering this gesture a fitting tribute.

Council staff will now begin renaming procedures, including consultations with relevant institutions such as the postal service and the Royal Household, and will consider whether the local authority can cover the potential costs for the 10 street addresses.

Andrew, 65, the younger brother of King Charles and second son of Queen Elizabeth, has faced increasing pressure for several years over his behavior and links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Last month, he was also forced to give up his title as Duke of York.