Australia Backs Move to Remove Andrew from Royal Succession After Arrest
Australia has thrown its support behind plans to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession following his arrest in the UK.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to his British counterpart Keir Starmer to confirm his government would support any change to the succession laws:
“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.”
Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was held for 11 hours before being released under investigation. Police also carried out searches at his home on the Sandringham estate and his former home, Royal Lodge.
The allegations relate to claims he shared sensitive information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy. Andrew has denied all allegations.
Although he lost his royal titles last year, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne. He is also technically still a counsellor of state, a role that allows senior royals to step in for the monarch if needed, though in practice only working royals carry out those duties.
Any move to remove him from the line of succession would require legislation passed by the UK Parliament. Because the monarch is also head of state in 14 Commonwealth countries, including Australia, those nations would also need to back the change.
Albanese is the first Commonwealth leader to publicly support removing Andrew. Speaking after the arrest, he described it as an “extraordinary fall from grace”. “I must say, from someone who had such an esteemed position and was in a position really of absolute privilege, and to see this decline and fall is extraordinary,” he said. Despite being a long-time supporter of Australia becoming a republic, Albanese said the situation would not trigger a fresh referendum on cutting ties with the monarchy.
In a brief statement following his brother’s arrest, the King said “the law must take its course”. Buckingham Palace has not publicly commented on the proposed changes to the succession.
