Australian PM backs removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from line of royal succession
‘These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously,’ Anthony Albanese says
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, younger brother of Britain’s King Charles, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaves Aylsham Police Station on a vehicle, on the day he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, after the US Justice Department released more records tied to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Aylsham, Britain. PHOTO: REUTERS
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would back plans to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession to the British throne, according to a letter shared by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office.
Last week, a United Kingdom official said the British government was considering introducing legislation to ensure Mountbatten-Windsor, currently eighth in line to the throne, could never be king following his arrest as part of a police investigation into his ties with Jeffrey Epstein.
King Charles, who last year stripped his brother of his title of prince and forced him out of his Windsor home, is not only the monarch and head of state in Britain, but also in Australia and 13 other countries.
Any changes to the succession to the throne have to be approved not just in Britain but also in the other realms.
In the letter, Albanese told Starmer that in light of the recent events, his government would agree to any proposal to remove Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of 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,” his letter said. “These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously.”
Read More: UK government weighs removing former prince Andrew from line of succession after arrest
The last time changes were made to the line of succession came in 2013, when a law was passed to end a 300-year-old system that gave precedence to male heirs.
The British government has said any change would follow the completion of a police investigation. Officers are searching Mountbatten-Windsor’s former mansion in Windsor as part of an investigation into whether he committed misconduct in a public office during his time as government trade envoy.
Other allegations relating to Epstein are also being considered by various British police forces. Mountbatten-Windsor, who has made no public comment since the mass release of documents by the US government linked to Epstein last month, has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to the late financier.
Authorities arrested Andrew on February 19, his 66th birthday, as part of an investigation into allegations that he shared confidential government information with Epstein during his time as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.
He was later released under investigation and has denied any wrongdoing. The arrest reportedly came as a surprise to Buckingham Palace, with King Charles III confirming the royal household would cooperate fully with investigators.
