Prince Andrew seeks taxpayer‑funded security as New Zealand weighs renaming Antarctic plateau

New Zealand’s Geographic Board is reviewing the name of the Prince Andrew Plateau in Antarctica. The 24,278‑foot feature, named in 1962 after the royal, may be renamed or left nameless amid public calls to remove the disgraced duke’s legacy.

Prince Andrew, stripped of his titles in 2025, has asked for additional state‑funded protection, arguing he is “more at risk” than other members of the Royal Family. The request follows an incident near his Sandringham residence where a man wearing a balaclava threatened him; the suspect, Alex Jenkinson, was arrested and faces a trial. Andrew claims his connections to Jeffrey Epstein and his former role as a UK trade envoy make him a target for “fixated individuals.” The public debate centres on whether taxpayers should fund security for a former royal whose reputation is deeply damaged.