The British government is facing mounting pressure to remove Prince Andrew from the line of succession following his February 19 arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, a move Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated is under consideration. “I can share you the government is looking at options in relation to succession,” Starmer told reporters Monday, adding that any measures would follow the conclusion of the police investigation.
The call for action comes after lawmakers approved a motion Tuesday demanding the release of confidential documents related to Andrew’s decade-long role as a trade envoy, a position now under intense scrutiny due to allegations he shared government reports with Jeffrey Epstein. Trade Minister Chris Bryant, during parliamentary debate, described Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a “rude, arrogant and entitled man” engaged in a “constant self-enriching hustle,” according to GB News.
The Liberal Democrats initiated the motion to release the documents, which passed without opposition. Labour lawmaker Liam Byrne, chair of the Business and Trade Committee, stated the inquiry will commence once “police and criminal justice system action has concluded.” Bryant added, “Frankly, it is the least we owe the victims of the horrific abuse that was perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein and others.”
The arrest, prompted by a renewed examination of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice in late January, centers on allegations that Andrew shared confidential government reports with Epstein during trade trips to Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam in 2010 and 2011. Thames Valley Police confirmed to The Associated Press they are “assessing the information” regarding these claims. Police are also investigating a separate allegation that Epstein arranged for a woman to be brought to Andrew at the Royal Lodge residence in Windsor in 2010, as reported by Reuters.
Andrew, who has historically denied any wrongdoing, has not issued a public statement since his arrest. He was previously stripped of his military titles and royal patronages in January 2022 following allegations of sexual abuse by Virginia Giuffre, which he also denied. He settled a civil lawsuit with Giuffre for an undisclosed amount in February 2022. Further allegations from Giuffre, detailed in her posthumous memoir following her death in April 2025, led to the removal of his remaining titles in late 2025.
Despite no longer holding royal titles, Andrew remains eighth in line to the British throne. Altering the line of succession, however, is a complex process requiring an act of Parliament, a process that has only occurred twice since 1689. According to Robert Hazell, professor of government and the constitution at University College London, such a bill would follow standard legislative procedures, requiring readings and votes in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, followed by royal assent.
Hazell cautioned that removing Andrew could raise questions about the status of his daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, and acknowledged the potential for diverting parliamentary time from pressing issues like healthcare and the cost of living crisis. “If the government spends precious parliamentary time legislating to remove Andrew from the line of succession, that’s legislative time that they cannot devote to other things,” he said.
Any changes to the succession also require agreement from the other 14 Commonwealth realms where Charles is head of state. Australia has already signaled its support, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stating his government would agree to any proposal to remove Andrew, AP reported. Novel Zealand has also indicated it would support a British government decision to alter the royal lineage.
any act of Parliament would require royal assent from King Charles III, a process considered a formality but likely to be discussed during their weekly audiences. Dr. Carolyn Harris, a royal commentator and instructor of history at the University of Toronto, noted that altering the line of succession could raise broader questions about the criteria for inclusion and potentially destabilize the monarchy. “Should there be some kind of a ‘good character requirement’ to be in the line of succession?” she asked.
The government has yet to announce a timeline for potential legislation, leaving the future of Andrew’s place in the line of succession uncertain.
