An attempt by Green group councillors to officially “derecognise” the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh has failed to gather enough support in the City Chambers.
The Green group said the titles were “illegitimate” and “should not exist” during a meeting ahead of the King’s coronation.
Previously held by the late Queen’s husband Prince Philip, the title was passed on to Prince Edward and his wife Sophie on the prince’s 59th birthday last March.
A motion tabled by the Greens – and backed by SNP councillors – said there was a “lack of democratic legitimacy of the title of Duke”.
It sought to agree that the “only legitimate representation of the people of Edinburgh is that which is democratic and accountable to them” and the Royal couple “should hold no official status in the city”.
John Hall, from anti-monarchy group Our Republic, told councillors: “The Duke of Edinburgh as a title and a role doesn’t necessarily have much of a relationship with the City of Edinburgh Council.
“If we are going to have titles, if we are going to have anything that is related to the city, we as a republic feel it is important that they are linked to the democratic processes in some way.”
Our Republic are holding an anti-monarchy rally on Calton Hill on Saturday at 3pm.
The move was voted down by Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem councillors.
Afterwards, Ben Parker, Green group co-convenor, said he was left “deeply disappointed” at the result.
He said: “As well as being an offensive exercise of power by a family whose existence has no democratic legitimacy, we know that the bestowal of these titles has significant consequences.”
He said Royal visits “cost the city millions of pounds a year, cause disruption for residents and impact on council business and staff well-being”.
He added: “As a symbol of inherited wealth and power, the Royal Family goes against the values of equality and opportunity that the Council claims to hold.
“There are growing numbers of people rightly questioning the impact of the monarchy on Edinburgh and it’s right that these views and voices are represented in the Council chamber.”
Conservative group councillor Phil Doggart criticised the Greens’ “negativity,” adding that ignoring the history and the links between the Royal family and the city “doesn’t do us any favours”.
He added: “We should welcome any publicity and welcome in particular that we have another Duke of Edinburgh.”
by Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency. It is funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency. It is funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
