Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has expressed support for removing Prince Andrew from the British royal line of succession, citing what he described as the former royal’s “deplorable” conduct.
Carney made the remarks on Saturday while speaking to journalists in Tokyo during an official visit to Japan, where he held diplomatic talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Prince Andrew, whose full name is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, is currently under investigation for alleged misconduct in public office over claims connected to his past association with the late American sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
According to reports, Andrew was arrested and later released in February on suspicion of sharing confidential information with Epstein during his tenure as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.
Reacting to the development, Carney said the prince’s conduct had damaged public trust and warranted further action.
“There is a process in order to do it, but I certainly think his actions, which are deplorable and have caused him to be stripped of his royal titles, necessitate his removal from the line of succession,” the Canadian leader said.
Prince Andrew had already been stripped of his royal titles in 2025 following widespread criticism over his association with Epstein. However, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The controversy also involves allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was trafficked to have sexual relations with the British royal on three occasions starting in 2001, including two incidents when she was 17.
Andrew reached a settlement in 2022 in a civil lawsuit filed by Giuffre in the United States, although he did not admit liability as part of the agreement.
Carney’s position follows similar expressions of support from governments in Australia and New Zealand for Andrew’s removal from the royal line of succession.
Any change to the succession order must be initiated by the United Kingdom and approved by the other 14 Commonwealth realms that recognise King Charles III as head of state.
