LONDON – Legal Changes Considered for Prince Andrew’s Succession Status
It’s been 90 years since the British royal family last saw someone removed from the line of succession, but this could change soon. The British government has announced plans to consider formal legal changes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal succession list.
Formerly Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles III, holds the eighth position in line despite his title being stripped in October due to scandals involving his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Experts warn that the process to officially remove him could be complicated and lengthy, requiring coordination with several nations that recognize the British monarch as their head of state.
Recent developments have added urgency. Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Allegations surfaced that he shared trade secrets with a disgraced financier during his tenure as Britain’s trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. This followed the release of extensive files by the US Department of Justice related to Epstein.
After approximately 11 hours in custody, Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, was released without charges but remains under investigation.
Darren Jones, the chief of staff for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stated to MPs that they haven’t dismissed the possibility of taking action regarding succession. However, they will wait until the police investigation concludes before deciding on further steps.
Currently, the line of succession is led by Prince William, followed by his three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Prince Harry sits in fifth place, with his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, taking the sixth and seventh spots. Mountbatten-Windsor, once second in line at his birth, now ranks eighth, with his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie at ninth and twelfth, respectively.
To effect this change, Parliament would need to approve the removal. The Liberal Democratic Party has openly supported such an action, with party leader Ed Davey expressing last week that it would be unacceptable for Mountbatten-Windsor to inherit the throne.
Moreover, changes would also depend on the backing of the 14 Commonwealth nations, where King Charles serves as head of state. Australia and New Zealand have already indicated their support for excluding Mountbatten-Windsor.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese underscored the seriousness of the allegations, emphasizing the importance of a thorough investigation.
As for other Commonwealth nations like Canada and Jamaica, it’s unclear if they have voiced similar sentiments regarding the situation.
Political science expert Robert Hazell noted that implementing such changes might require constitutional amendments in certain countries, while in others, it could be achieved through legislation. However, he expressed skepticism about whether the effort to remove Mountbatten-Windsor would be prioritized, given his position at eighth in line.
He referenced the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, which made the laws gender-neutral but took two years of discussions for amendments across countries.
There is concern regarding how this might impact his daughters and their families, especially since they are not working royals. Hazell suggested that the outcome would depend on how the new laws are framed.
Historically, the last royal to be removed from the succession line was Edward VIII in 1936 after his abdication to marry Wallis Simpson. At that time, the laws were amended to penalize him and his descendants.
King Charles has not made a public declaration regarding his brother’s status, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the law throughout the ongoing investigation, while maintaining his royal duties. Reports suggest the palace is open to potential legal changes, indicating that the royal family does not intend to interfere with parliamentary decisions.
