Major blow to Andrew as Australia backs calls to remove him from line of succession

The Australian Government has said it would support legislation to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has written to Sir Keir Starmer saying his government would agree to “any proposal” to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor - who is currently eighth in line to the throne - as one of the King's successors.

The Government has said it is considering introducing legislation to remove the disgraced former prince from the line of succession, following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office last week. Any action by the government would only happen once the ongoing police investigation into the former Duke of York has concluded.

But it's a long and complex legislative process as it requires consent not just from Westminster but also from all 14 Commonwealth realms. In Australia, some local governments also have to approve the change.

"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," Mr Albanese wrote. "These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously."

Andrew has been accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK's trade envoy.

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

Defence Minister Luke Pollard told the BBC last week that it the "right thing to do," regardless of the outcome of the police investigation.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Any Questions programme, Mr Pollard confirmed the government had "absolutely" been working with Buckingham Palace on the plans to stop Andrew from "potentially being a heartbeat away from the throne". He said this was "something that I hope will enjoy cross party support, but its right that that is something that only happens when the police investigation concludes".

New YouGov polling published on Friday shows widespread public support for removing Andrew from the line of succession. The survey, conducted in the wake of his arrest on Thursday, found that 82 percent of Britons thought he should be removed as one of the King’s potential successors, with just six percent believing he should not.

Buckingham Palace has deferred the matter to Parliament, with sources saying that due to legislation being required to change the line of succession, it is up to the Government to take action. However, the King would not oppose such a move, despite previously being opposed to wasting parliamentary time on the issue.

Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne. He sits behind the Prince of Wales, his three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, and the Duke of Sussex and his two children, Prince Archie, six and Princess Lilibet, four.

The last time the Government made changes to the succession laws was in 2013, when the Succession to the Crown Act ended the system of male primogeniture - that a male heir took precedence over women. However, the act only applies to those born after 28 October 2011.

This is why Princess Charlotte, 10, remains ahead of her younger brother, Prince Louis, seven.

Succession laws were also introduced when King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936, to remove him and his descendants from the line of succession.