The governments of Australia and New Zealand have officially backed British initiatives aimed at excluding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession to the British throne. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon declared their readiness for legislative changes in response to the ongoing moral scandal. In the UK, pressure is mounting to release documents concerning the former prince's role as a special trade envoy, which could further damage his image.

Alliance of Australia and New Zealand

Both countries have officially declared they will support British legislative changes removing Andrew from the list of heirs to the throne.

Request for document disclosure

The Liberal Democrats are pushing for the publication of secret documents concerning Andrew's trade missions and their costs to the state budget.

No resistance from the Palace

Royal officials suggest the monarchy will not intervene to save the former prince's position in the line of succession.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has officially confirmed that his government supports plans to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession. This decision was made in the face of unrelenting controversy surrounding the former prince's links to Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual abuse. A few hours later, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon took a similar stance, meaning two key Commonwealth realms are ready to change the law in agreement with London. Andrew currently occupies eighth place in the line of succession, despite being stripped of his royal titles and public duties in 2022. The process of changing succession is complicated because it requires coordination between the parliaments of all fifteen countries where the British monarch is the head of state. According to the Statute of Westminster, any modifications to the order of inheritance must obtain the consent of these countries. The British government, through a Downing Street spokesperson, leaves the decision to appoint an investigative committee in the hands of parliamentarians, suggesting the executive has no objection to further probing the matter. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lost the right to use the title His Royal Highness after a court settlement with Virginia Giuffre in 2022. Historically, exclusion from the line of succession has been rare and usually linked to abdication, as in the case of Edward VIII in 1936, who gave up the throne to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson.Simultaneously, the Liberal Democrats party in the United Kingdom is demanding the declassification of documents concerning the costs and details of Andrew's foreign travels during his tenure as a special trade representative. The government has suggested it will not block a vote on this matter. Experts note that Buckingham Palace is likely not to resist the legislative removal of Andrew from the list of crown heirs, treating it as a necessary step to protect the monarchy's reputation under Charles III. „It's a matter for the UK government, but we will back the action taken by them.” — Anthony Albanese Support for Andrew: Australia: supports, New Zealand: supports, United Kingdom (government): neutral, Lib.-Dem. Party: supports 8. — is the current position Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor holds in the line of succession

Mentioned People

  • Andrzej Mountbatten-Windsor — Former Duke of York, brother of King Charles III, embroiled in the scandal surrounding Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Anthony Albanese — Prime Minister of Australia, who publicly supported Andrew's removal from the succession.
  • Christopher Luxon — Prime Minister of New Zealand, supporting steps against the former prince.