Prince Andrew’s portrait removed from Fitzrovia pub

The Duke of York pub in Fitzrovia, London, has quietly shed one of its most controversial features: a painted pub sign bearing the likeness of Prince Andrew. The portrait, painted by Russian-American artist Igor Babailov and installed in 2014 with the Duke’s permission, was removed after the pub changed hands, according to reports from The Fitzrovia News and Londonist. McMullen and Sons, the Hertfordshire-based brewery now operating the venue, confirmed that while the pub’s name will remain, the image of the embattled royal will not. Managing director Heydon Mizon stated that a “more period image of another Duke of York” would be used instead, “more suitable” given recent controversies surrounding Prince Andrew.

A pub with a colourful past

Licensed in 1767 and rebuilt in 1897, the London pub has long been a favourite among Fitzrovia’s literary and musical figures. Anthony Burgess, Donovan, Ian Dury and David Jason are among those who once drank at the bar. But in recent years, the venue became notorious for its unwavering display of Prince Andrew, despite calls for its removal after his ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to light. Former publicans Alan Monks and Debi Sickelmore remained defiant for years, with Monks telling The Sun in 2019 that the signs would “go nowhere.” However, following their retirement in January 2025 after more than two decades, McMullen's has opted for a clean break.

Swing signs and departures

As documented by The Sun, the distinctive swinging sign was quietly taken down and packed into a van, reportedly destined for the former publicans' garden. A larger curved fascia portrait remains for now, but McMullen’s is expected to remove it in due course. The pub is currently closed for refurbishment, with a planned reopening by 30 June 2025. Alongside the rebranding, planning permission was granted in March 2024 for the conversion of the upper floors into residential flats.