Australian PM Albanese: In a letter to UK PM Starmer: Would back any government plan to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession

Australian PM Albanese: In a letter to UK PM Starmer: Would back any government plan to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession

Australian Government Backs Potential Removal of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from Royal Line of Succession

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australia's support for any legislative proposal to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession to the British throne, following the former prince's arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. In a letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Albanese stated Australia would endorse measures to strip Mountbatten-Windsor—currently eighth in line to the throne—of his succession rights once investigations are concluded.

The move comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Mountbatten-Windsor's historical ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender. In October 2025, King Charles III stripped his brother of royal titles after new evidence emerged, though Mountbatten-Windsor remains a counsellor of state, a role that could allow him to temporarily assume royal duties if King Charles III is incapacitated according to reports. Removing him from the succession would require an act of UK Parliament and the approval of all 14 Commonwealth realms where Charles III is head of state, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Albanese emphasized that "grave allegations" against Mountbatten-Windsor necessitate a "full, fair, and proper investigation," aligning with King Charles III's public stance that "the law must take its course" as stated by Albanese. At least nine UK police forces are reviewing claims, including allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor shared sensitive government information with Epstein during his tenure as trade envoy (2001–2011) according to reports.

While Albanese acknowledged the "extraordinary fall from grace" of the former prince, he ruled out using the issue to advocate for an Australian republic referendum, citing the 1999 referendum's failure under former Prime Minister John Howard as noted in analysis.

The process highlights the complex legal framework governing the monarchy, which was last revised in 2011 to eliminate gender discrimination in succession and remove restrictions on marrying Roman Catholics as detailed in reports. Analysts suggest widespread support for removing Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession, though final action will depend on the outcome of ongoing investigations according to analysis.

(https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/23/australian-government-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-royal-line-of-succession-ntwnfb): The Guardian, ABC News
(https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-23/australia-backs-removal-of-andrew-line-of-succession/106377738): ABC News, SBS News
(https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/23/australian-government-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-royal-line-of-succession-ntwnfb): The Guardian, ABC News
(https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-23/australia-backs-removal-of-andrew-line-of-succession/106377738): ABC News, SBS News
(https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/albanese-backs-removal-of-prince-andrew-from-succession/8ywwv101r): The Guardian, SBS News
(https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/23/australian-government-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-royal-line-of-succession-ntwnfb): SBS News