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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday expressed support for removing former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession, due to ongoing investigations into his ties with the US financier Jeffrey Epstein.
In a letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Albanese said that his government “would agree to any proposal to remove him from the line of royal succession”, adding that the allegations against Andrew are “grave” and taken seriously by Australians.
Starmer’s spokesperson confirmed receipt of the letter and noted that the UK government is evaluating potential steps regarding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
“We’re considering whether further steps are required in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and we’re not ruling anything out, but given the ongoing police investigation, it wouldn’t be appropriate for the government to comment further at this stage,” he said.
Andrew, who served as the UK’s trade envoy, was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations he shared sensitive government information with Epstein.
Following mounting revelations about his relationship with Epstein, King Charles III stripped Andrew of his titles in October and asked him to leave his Windsor residence.
Despite the controversies, Andrew remains eighth in line to the British throne, after Princess Lilibet, the daughter of Prince Harry.
UK officials have indicated that any legislation to remove him from succession would also need the consent of the 14 other Commonwealth countries where the king is head of state.
Albanese, who has long supported Australia becoming a republic, told Starmer he agreed with King Charles that “the law must now take its full course” and that a “full, fair, and proper investigation” is necessary.
