Ports of Jersey has refused to confirm how much it has spent on the replacement of a commemorative plaque at Elizabeth Marina, after it was quietly changed to remove reference to Prince Andrew.
It comes just months after the ports authority said that any changes to references to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor or his former title would only be made following formal instruction from the Royal Household.
The plaque – which marked the official opening of the marina by the then-Prince in 1998 – has become the focus of scrutiny amid continuing controversy over the former Duke of York’s links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The move follows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office, amid reports that he shared confidential government information with Epstein. He has denied any wrongdoing.
The Elizabeth Marina plaque previously said: “Elizabeth Marina opened by H.R.H The Prince Andrew, Duke of York on Friday 15th May 1998.”
It has now been replaced to read: “Opened on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II”, with the same date.
Despite queries from Express, Ports declined to reveal the total cost of removing and replacing the plaque, including any associated design and installation expenses.
Last year, someone placed a pizza sticker on the plaque – presumably as a reference to Prince Andrew’s widely-ridiculed alibi in which he denied sleeping with a 17-year-old and said he instead spent the day in question at a Pizza Express restaurant in Woking.