Selwyn Township is well into the process of renaming two islands in the Village of Lakefield after the former Prince Andrew was stripped of his title.
Last year, amid the controversy after the former Prince Andrew lost his royal titles over his ties with convicted sex-offender Jeffery Epstein, Selwyn township council moved a motion to investigate the process of renaming two islands in the Village of Lakefield one that was honouring the former prince, now called Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
According to the CBC, Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by British police on February 19, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in public office and was taken into custody on his 66th birthday, questioned for 11 hours, and released under investigation regarding his ties to Epstein.
The islands in questions locally are named Prince Andrew Island and Gordonstoun Island.
At Tuesday afternoon’s Selwyn Council meeting, a report was presented to council outlining two options the township could take to undergo this name change.
One option was to request the province rescind the names of the islands and recommend renaming them. The other option was just to request the province rescind the names and have them be referred to as a number.
A report presented to council by Deputy Clerk Tania Goncalves explained that the Ontario Geographic Names Board is the body responsible for approval of all official names of natural geographic features in the province. The board consists of the Surveyor General, a Board Secretary, and up to five members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
To change a name of a geographical feature, a formal application is required. The Board then reviews the application which can take a period of up to 12 months to complete.
It was mentioned at the council meeting that anyone can submit an application to rename a geographic feature in Ontario, not just municipalities, and land ownership is not a requirement for submitting a naming or renaming request.
Goncalves also provided council with some background information on the islands stating that Prince Andrew Island is owned by the Crown which means it is unpatented land. It was named in 1978 in recognition of Prince Andrew’s attendance at Lakefield College School in 1977 and had previously been identified as Island 32.
She went on to say that – Gordonstoun Island is located north of Prince Andrew Island on the Otonabee River. It was named in recognition of Gordonstoun School in Scotland, attended by members of the Royal Family. It has previously been identified as Island 8 and is owned by the Township as it was patented to the Village of Lakefield in 1888.
Should Council decide to go with option one, the township would request to rescind the names while the renaming process is started locally.
Goncalves explained that this would ensure the name of the islands are not used in the interim as well as provides the Township with the necessary time to engage in comprehensive consultation with Curve Lake First Nation, relevant stakeholders, and the broader public.
Township staff would also consult with the Curve Lake First Nation and the Municipal Heritage Committee to develop a shortlist of names that align with the key principles of the Ontario Geographic Names Board.
That shortlist would then be presented to the public for final consultation and then from the public’s feedback a recommendation of names would be submitted to the Ontario Geographic Names Board. The Name Board does have some key naming principles which include:
• Names should reflect local usage, history, or geography.
• Commemorative names only for individuals with outstanding contributions and who have been deceased for at least five years.
• Living persons or controversial figures are not eligible.
Deputy Mayor Ron Black moved option one which was seconded by Coun. John Boyko. The motion was passed.
