Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has called for Prince Andrew, the former Duke of York, to be removed from the royal line of succession.
Mountbatten-Windsor, who is eighth in line to the throne, was arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following accusations of sharing confidential material with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The former prince has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein, and has not responded to the BBC regarding the recent release of millions of Epstein files in January.
Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Carney described Andrew’s actions as “deplorable” and said they justified his removal from succession. “Even though he is well down the line, the point of principle stands,” Carney said.
The call follows similar statements from other Commonwealth leaders. Last month, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed to the UK’s Sir Keir Starmer that his government would support removing Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession. “These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously,” Albanese said.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, also expressed support, saying: “No one is above the law, and once the investigation is closed, we would support his removal from succession.”
In the UK, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said that legislation to remove Andrew, preventing him from ever becoming King, would be “the right thing to do,” regardless of the police investigation’s outcome. Pollard confirmed the government has been coordinating with Buckingham Palace on plans to stop the former prince from “potentially being a heartbeat away from the throne.”
Any removal would require an act of Parliament, approval by MPs and peers, and royal assent from King Charles III. Additionally, the measure would need support from the 14 Commonwealth countries where the King is head of state. The last instance of such a parliamentary removal was in 1936, when Edward VIII and his descendants were removed following his abdication.
Buckingham Palace has not publicly commented on the proposed legislation to remove Prince Andrew from the line of succession.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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