How former Prince Andrew could be excluded from Britain’s line of succession
It has been 90 years since a British royal was removed from the line of succession, but that could change now as the U.K. government considers legal measures to formally exclude Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Although stripped of his title as prince last October due to his ties with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the former prince—King Charles III’s younger brother—remains eighth in line to the throne. Experts note that any move to remove him would be complex, requiring coordination with about a dozen countries where the British monarch is also head of state.
Momentum for action has grown since Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to allegations that he shared confidential trade information with Epstein while serving as U.K. trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. He was released after 11 hours in custody but remains under investigation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief secretary, Darren Jones, said Monday that the government is considering whether further steps regarding the line of succession are needed, though any change would wait until the investigation concludes. Removing him would require an act of Parliament and support from other Commonwealth nations, though Australia has already indicated backing. The potential exclusion also raises questions about the status of his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and whether they or their children would be affected depends on how legislation is framed. The last royal removed from succession was King Edward VIII in 1936, and while Charles has not publicly stated a position, reports suggest the palace would not oppose Parliament taking legal action.
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