British government considers law to remove Prince Andrew from line of succession
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The British government is considering legislation to remove Prince Andrew from the line of succession, a move that would require a formal Act of Parliament and consultation with other Commonwealth realms.
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor remains eighth in line to the throne despite losing royal duties, titles, and honours following revelations about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and questioned for 11 hours by detectives from Thames Valley Police, but has not been charged with any crime. Police are investigating whether he passed sensitive government information to Epstein during his tenure as a UK trade envoy, which ended in 2011.
A YouGov snap poll of 7,200 British adults found that 82 per cent believe he should be removed from the line of succession. He currently stands behind Prince William and his three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, and Prince Harry and his two children, Archie and Lilibet. Andrew is also technically a Counsellor of State, though in practice, only working royals fulfil that role.
Removing him from the succession cannot be done by royal decree. It requires an Act of Parliament. Because King Charles III is head of state in 14 other countries, including Canada and Australia, changes would also require consultation and formal agreement with those realms. Reports indicate the government may act after the police investigation concludes. Andrew has not been found guilty or charged.
The last removal from the line of succession occurred in 1936 when Edward VIII abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson, giving up the claim of his descendants. If Andrew is removed, those ahead of him would remain unchanged. Whether his daughters retain their positions would be for Parliament to decide under the Act of Settlement of 1701.