The prospect of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor being removed from
the line of succession has taken a step forward as the Prime
Minister of Australia gave his backing to the idea.
Over the weekend, it was reported that the government in London
is looking to take the former prince out of the line to the throne.
It’s suggested that this could take place after the police
investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is concluded.
However, all the realms where Charles III is Sovereign would
have to agree to changing their own legislations before Andrew
could be taken out of the line.
The announcement by the Prime Minister of Australia makes that
much more likely.
Anthony Albanese wrote to Sir Keir Starmer to explain his
position around the succession and made it clear that he and his
government were in favour of removing the former prince.
In the letter, he said ”in light of recent events concerning
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to confirm my Government
would agree to any proposal to remove him from the royal line of
succession. I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its
full course and there must be a full, fair and proper
investigation. These are grave allegations and Australians take
them seriously.”
Australia is one of fourteen Commonwealth countries where
Charles III is King. Now, attention will turn to others including
Canada and New Zealand to see if they would back the move.
Andrew being taken out of the succession became a political
issue again after his arrest. The former prince was detained by
officers looking into allegations of misconduct in a public office.
He was taken from his home on the Sandringham estate just after 8am
on February 19 2026 and released, under investigation, 11 hours
later.
Following that development, several politicians said it was time
for Andrew to be taken out of succession. Although he was stripped
of his royal titles in the autumn of 2025, after more details of
his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became
public, he remains in the succession. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is
currently eighth in line to the throne.
His place in the succession also gives him a potentially
important constitutional role. Under the Regency Act of 1937, he is
one of the people who can stand in temporarily for the Monarch as a
Counsellor of State. It’s unlikely that he would be called on as
King Charles had extra counsellors added soon after the start of
his reign.
However, the Regency Act also states that should a Monarch
become permanently incapacitated or if they are too young to carry
out their role, a regent will be appointed. That is the next adult
in the line of succession. Currently, should Prince William or any
of his children need a regent, it would be Prince Harry. However,
the Regency Act also states that the person called upon must be
resident in the UK. The next adult on the list is Andrew
Mountbatten-Windsor, meaning he could technically still be regent
for William or his children.
Buckingham Palace has made no public comment on calls for Andrew
Mountbatten-Windsor to be removed from the succession.
