Major street will keep its royal-inspired name in downtown core of Mississauga

Duke of York Boulevard in Mississauga’s downtown core will keep its royal-inspired name, but the city has permanently removed any connection between the major street and England’s disgraced former prince, Andrew.

A move was initially afoot at city hall — both several years ago and, more recently, earlier this month — to strike the name altogether and then set about renaming the prominent City Centre street.

However, upon further review, city council decided instead on Wednesday morning to retain the name but “reassociate” it, “removing its connection from the individual Andrew Mountbatten Windsor in keeping with the actions taken by Buckingham Palace,” a motion adopted by council stated.

In unanimously approving the motion, which was introduced by Deputy Mayor and Ward 4 Coun. John Kovac, who represents Mississauga’s downtown area, council also decided to:

• Immediately remove all other honours including plaques or non-critical wayfinding signage associated with Andrew, former Duke of York, from City of Mississauga-owned property.
• Direct senior city staff to report back with other considerations on combatting human trafficking after engagement with relevant groups and agencies in Peel.

View from above of Duke of York Boulevard in Mississauga’s City Centre area.

In tabling his motion, Kovac acknowledged the need for the city to cut all symbolic ties with the 65-year-old former prince and brother of King Charles III.

However, the councillor — and one of the city’s two deputy mayors — also noted the difficulties associated with renaming such a major street that houses numerous addresses, both residential and business/commercial.

“Duke of York Boulevard extends through wards 4 and 7, containing over 1,400 residential addresses and distinct roll numbers in Ward 7,” the motion stated, adding “Sheridan College, a major (post-secondary institution) and employer, is located on Duke of York Boulevard in Ward 4, as is Square One Shopping Centre and other commercial properties that use Duke of York Boulevard in advertising and wayfinding.”

While Square One’s street address is 100 City Centre Dr., entrances to the large shopping centre are on Duke of York Boulevard.

“Significant costs” to change a street name

The motion also pointed out that changing the name of a street “requires all property owners and residents to carry out a process of updating personal information, and there are risks and costs associated with a forced address change (insurance policies, personal identification, for example).”

The motion also noted:

• The “estimated significant costs,” as determined by city staff, associated with a street name change.
• The title “Duke of York” has existed for more than 700 years in various iterations.

Duke of York Boulevard, located just east of both city hall and the Living Arts Centre, was named for Andrew — now the former prince and duke — shortly after he and his wife at the time, Sarah Ferguson, visited the city on July 18, 1987 to help with the official opening of the Mississauga Civic Centre (city hall).

Name-change discussion surfaced again

Now, nearly four decades and a number of sex-related allegations and controversies later, talk of changing the name of Duke of York Boulevard surfaced again in recent weeks at Mississauga city council.

Several weeks ago, Buckingham Palace announced the process of removing Andrew’s “style, titles and honours” had been initiated as part of the latest fallout from his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019.

Today, the former prince and son of the late Queen Elizabeth II is known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. In addition to losing an array of royal and military titles, and other privileges, Andrew was also tossed out of his former 30-room home, Royal Lodge, a few week ago.

Mayor initially in favour of changing the name

Mayor Carolyn Parrish initially raised the matter at city council on Nov. 5 during discussion related to the naming of city buildings, streets and other assets.

At the time, she informally suggested renaming the downtown Mississauga street “York Boulevard.”

Meanwhile, co-chairs of the Peel Human Trafficking Service Providers Committee sent a letter to the city last week urging council to “take decisive action” and rename Duke of York Boulevard.

Formed in 2015, the committee is comprised of more than 40 organizations from across Peel and the Greater Toronto Area that work to combat human trafficking.

Back in 2022, shortly after Andrew had his royal duties and military titles taken from him, Mississauga city councillors at the time spoke about changing the Duke of York Boulevard name. However, nothing came of that discussion.

Duke of York Boulevard runs from Webb Drive, just south of Burnhamthorpe Road West, north to Centre View Drive to the immediate south of Highway 403.