The Duke of York’s now removed sign

AN image of Prince Andrew displayed on a pub’s sign for years has finally been removed.

The controversial decor of the Duke of York Pub in Rathbone Street, Fitzrovia – which featured a large portrait of the disgraced royal on its exterior – has been the subject of headlines ever since the Duke’s association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was revealed.

Despite complaints, landlady Debi Sickelmore kept the picture and Duke of York name.

But, after 20 years of running the pub, she is reportedly retiring. New owners, McMullen and Sons, have taken a different approach and this week the sign displaying the nation’s least-favourite royal was removed.

Heydon Mizon, managing director at McMullen and Sons, said: “The swing sign has been removed and will be replaced. It will include a more period image of another Duke of York, that we feel is more suitable.

“We won’t change the name of the pub; we love it and there have been many recipients of the title in history.”

Prince Andrew, the king’s brother, has been openly mocked since his BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis during which he struggled to explain his behaviour.