By Aidan Jones
Prince Andrew has stepped down from his role as the Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield with immediate effect.
The Duke of York has been in the limelight for the wrong reasons recently, following a BBC interview about his friendship with the US financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The West Yorkshire University said that it wanted to “thank the Duke for his work during his period as chancellor”.
Earlier this week, the prince revealed that he would be stepping back from royal duties for the “foreseeable future”
Prince Andrew was named Chancellor in 2015 and was due to hold the role until 2020.
The resignation came after the universities student union voted for the figurehead to quit his role following the controversial interview with the BBC.
Since the resignation, several students from the university have taken to social media to react to the news.
#NotMyChancellor #PrinceAndrew Success! Who’s stepping up? pic.twitter.com/n0wWmLTQRq
— Bailey Pellegrina (@MsterPellegrina) November 21, 2019
As a student at Huddersfield, I am so pleased with this news! He is #notmychancellor and does not represent what we stand for as a University! Now where do I start a petition for Jodie Whittaker to be our next chancellor! #JodieForChancellor https://t.co/1FMyDaddK3
— Becky McCarthy (@BeckyMcCarthy94) November 21, 2019
The University are not wasting any time with searching for Prince Andrew’s successor, with the University Council due to meet next week (27 November 2019), to discuss a new direction.
The new chancellor will be decided by the following Council meeting in March 2020, and will be in place in July 2020 for Graduation ceremonies.