Australia has openly backed efforts to remove Prince Andrew from the royal line of succession.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has written to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, confirming his government would support any formal proposal to strip Andrew of his place in line to the throne.
The development comes as Andrew faces a police investigation over alleged misconduct in public office. The debate over the removal of Prince Andrew from royal line of succession has now taken a serious political turn.
Andrew was arrested and questioned for 11 hours last Thursday, February 19, which was also his 66th birthday. He was later released pending further investigation. However, the scrutiny surrounding him has only intensified.
In his letter to Starmer, Albanese made Australia’s position clear. He wrote: “In light of recent events concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to confirm that my government would agree to any proposal to remove him from the line of royal 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.
“These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously.”
Andrew has continued to deny wrongdoing linked to his time as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. Moreover, he has denied any misconduct connected to his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Despite being stripped of his royal titles last year, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne. Therefore, any removal would require an Act of Parliament in the UK. In addition, approval would be needed from the 14 Commonwealth countries where King Charles III serves as head of state. Australia, Canada, and New Zealand are among them.
Meanwhile, the UK government has confirmed receipt of Albanese’s letter. A spokesperson for Starmer said: “The Government has received the letter.
“We are considering whether further steps are required in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and we are not ruling anything out.
“But given the ongoing police investigation it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.”
Furthermore, reports suggest Sir Keir Starmer’s government may consider legislation once the police probe is concluded.
The controversy has also been fueled by a BBC report. It alleged that Andrew used taxpayer funds for massages and luxury travel during his tenure as trade envoy. A former civil servant reportedly claimed his refusal to approve such expenses was “overruled” by senior staff.
At this stage, Australia is the only Commonwealth realm to publicly signal support for the removal of Prince Andrew from royal line of succession.
