Giuliani Yanks Wife’s Title in Girlfriend Spat

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani replaced his estranged wife as hostess of Gracie Mansion as his lawyers appealed a ruling that bars his girlfriend from the official mayoral residence.

Irene Halligan, the city’s protocol commissioner, was appointed hostess in place of Donna Hanover.

Giuliani, who filed for divorce from Hanover last fall, declined to discuss the appeal, which will be argued in court June 6. The mayor did not rule out the possibility that he would yank city funding from the Office of the First Lady.

Hanover continues to live at the four-story, 200-year-old mansion with the couple’s children, Andrew, 15, and Caroline, 11. The mayor uses a guest room.