Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has told his British counterpart Keir Starmer that his government would support plans to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession.
In a letter to the UK Prime Minister, Albanese wrote: “In light of recent events concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to confirm that my Government would agree to any proposal to remove him from the line of royal 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,” he added.
Andrew remains eighth in line to the British throne despite losing royal titles — including the use of ‘prince’ — in October 2025 over mounting scrutiny tied to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The UK government is now weighing legislation that could formally remove him from the order of succession, following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday. Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
‘EXTRAORDINARY FALL FROM GRACE’
The Australian PM reiterated his position in a letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after publicly describing Andrew’s arrest as an “extraordinary fall from grace” in an interview with Sky News Australia.
“These are very serious allegations and they will be pursued quite clearly so I’m not going to go into any of the legal matters,” Albanese said.
“But, it is extraordinary that someone who all of us have seen as part of the royal family has now been bustled off into a legal process. No doubt it will not only focus on these documents but will also go to some of the other allegations that have been made as part of the whole Epstein saga.”
ANDREW RELEASED UNDER INVESTIGATION AFTER ARREST
Thames Valley Police arrested Andrew on 19 February at his residence on the Sandringham estate on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an allegation tied to claims he shared confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein during official overseas visits more than a decade ago. Officers also searched properties connected to him in Norfolk and Windsor as part of the enquiry.
He was released after about 11 hours of police questioning but remains under investigation over allegations linked to his past role as a UK trade envoy. Authorities have not filed charges, and prosecutors have yet to decide whether the case meets the threshold for prosecution. He has consistently denied any criminal conduct.
CAN ANDREW BE REMOVED FROM LINE OF SUCCESSION?
To remove Andrew from the line of succession would require primary legislation passed by the UK Parliament, meaning approval by both the House of Commons and House of Lords before receiving royal assent from King Charles III.
Since the monarch is also head of state in 14 other Commonwealth realms, any change affecting the succession would conventionally require the consent of those countries — including Australia, Canada and New Zealand — under the principles established by the 1931 Statute of Westminster and reaffirmed during the 2013 succession reforms.
With inputs from agencies
