Australia and New Zealand support removing Andrew from royal line of succession

Christopher Luxon (left), Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (middle), and Anthony Albanese (right). Credit: AP

New Zealand has said it will support the UK government if it proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession.

A spokesperson for Christopher Luxon, the country's prime minister, said: “If the UK government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it.

“The UK Government has said any proposals would come after the police investigation concludes.”

New Zealand has joined Australia in expressing support for the UK Government if it proposes to remove Andrew from the line of succession Credit: AP

This comes after Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to Sir Keir Starmer to say he would agree to “any proposal” to remove Andrew from the line of succession.

He said: "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."

The former prince was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office after being accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.

Andrew spent 11 hours in custody on his 66th birthday while officers searched his home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. He was released under investigation.

Although the former prince was stripped of his remaining royal titles by his brother, King Charles III, in December, he currently remains eighth in line to the throne.

Starmer's government will consider introducing legislation to remove this right once police have concluded their investigation into Andrew.

Any changes to the line of succession would require the agreement of other countries that share the UK monarch, including Australia, Canada and Jamaica.

Australia’s PM was the first leader of a Commonwealth country to publicly back removing Andrew from being in line to the throne.

When asked about the letter from Albanese, Starmer’s official spokesman 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.”

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