Abuse victims welcome former Prince Andrew plaque changes
Victims of abuse in Nelson are thankful for the removal of references to the former Prince Andrew on city plaques, says the councillor who led the charge on the issue.
Earlier this month, Nelson’s Christ Church Cathedral announced it would be rewording a plaque marking the dedication of its west end windows to remove the reference to former Duke of York Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
It was the second plaque in the city to have reference to Mountbatten-Windsor removed.
Photo: Patrick Hamilton
In May, the Nelson City Council agreed to replace a plaque on the Reef Knot sculpture in Trafalgar St also referencing the former prince, after Nelson City councillor Sarah Kerby brought forward a motion to do so.
Mountbatten-Windsor made a four-day visit to New Zealand in 2005, and opened Nelson’s bicentennial commemorations of the Battle of Trafalgar during his stay.
Kerby said since the Reef Knot plaque was replaced, a number of victims of abuse in the community had made it clear they were “immensely grateful”.
Some had gone as far as to send her their protection orders, she said.
“People are very reluctant to speak out on an issue like that,” she said.
“But people have been pleased that it’s down and are quite keen to tell me so.”
Kerby had been in touch with Cathedral Dean Graham O’Brien following the cathedral’s decision to reword its plaque, acknowledging him for speaking out, and hoping that the response he got was as “overwhelmingly positive” as the one she had received.
Since Nelson’s plaque had been reworded, Kerby said she’d seen other places around the world doing the same.
“It does feel like you’re on the precipice of a bit of a movement.”
While there had been a few people who were on the side of “not disturbing history”, Kerby said it was more important to support people in the community who were victims.
During Te Ramaroa, Nelson’s light festival, the councillor visited the cathedral, illuminated by an artistic light and sound show.
As a non-religious person, Kerby said she felt safe there, and noticed the signs on the walls supporting victims.
“I just thought this was a really cool place to be in,” she said.
In February, Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after previously losing his royal titles over ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection to his friendship with Epstein.
In December last year, the Government cancelled the 1990 Commemoration Medal that had been awarded to Mountbatten-Windsor nearly 36 years ago on the advice of the Prime Minister.
By Catherine Hubbard, Nelson Mail
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