Arabic version: رئيس وزراء كندا يدعو لإزالة الأمير أندرو من خط الخلافة
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to be removed from the royal line of succession. The former prince remains eighth in line to the throne despite being stripped of his titles in October due to his ties to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
According to BBC News, Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office last month after being accused of sharing confidential material with Epstein, a claim he has consistently and strenuously denied. Carney described the former Duke of York’s actions as “deplorable” and emphasized that such behavior should lead to his removal from the line of succession.
In support of this stance, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed his government’s backing for the removal of Mountbatten-Windsor. He stated that the allegations are serious and that Australia would agree to any proposal to remove him from the royal succession. Similarly, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon echoed this sentiment, asserting that no one is above the law and that they would support the UK government in taking action.
The UK government is currently contemplating legislation that would formally remove the former prince from the line of succession. Defence Minister Luke Pollard has indicated that the move is necessary, regardless of the police investigation’s outcome. Pollard confirmed that discussions are ongoing with Buckingham Palace regarding this significant step to prevent Mountbatten-Windsor from being close to the throne.
For any removal to take effect, it would require an act of Parliament, which must be approved by MPs and peers and receive royal assent from King Charles III. The last instance of someone being removed from the line of succession by parliamentary action occurred in 1936, when Edward VIII was removed due to his abdication. Buckingham Palace has not publicly commented on the government’s considerations regarding Andrew’s status in the succession line.
