Australia’s Prime Minister, AnthonyAustralia Albanese, has indicated his support for a proposal to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession.
In a letter addressed to United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Albanese confirmed that his government would back such a move.
Andrew, the King’s brother, remains eighth in line to the throne despite having been stripped of his royal titles, including “prince,” last October amid scrutiny over his association with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The UK government is reportedly considering legislation that would formally remove him from the line of succession.
This development comes after Andrew’s arrest on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an allegation he has consistently and strenuously denied.
The former prince was released under investigation roughly 11 hours after being taken into custody by Thames Valley Police.
In his letter, Albanese wrote, “Dear Prime Minister Starmer, 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.”
Following Andrew’s arrest, King Charles emphasized the importance of due process, stating, “What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.”
Formally removing Andrew from the line of succession would require an act of Parliament, approved by both MPs and peers, and would take effect only once given royal assent by the King.
The move would also need the consent of the 14 Commonwealth nations where King Charles serves as head of state, including Australia.
Buckingham Palace has not issued a public statement regarding the potential removal of Andrew from the succession line.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Luke Pollard told the BBC on Friday that such a decision, which would prevent Andrew from ever ascending the throne – was the “right thing to do,” regardless of the outcome of the ongoing police investigation.
Andrew was arrested at 08:00 GMT on Thursday at Sandringham, the King’s Norfolk estate where he has been residing since leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor earlier this February.
Police searches at Sandringham concluded later that day, and were understood to continue over the weekend at his 30-room Windsor property, with multiple unmarked police vehicles observed on Saturday.
