Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor remains eighth in line to the throne despite intense political pressure to remove him following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The 66-year-old, who was stripped of his title as the Duke of York last year, was arrested in February and questioned for 11 hours before being released under investigation. He denies any wrongdoing.
Just days after the arrest, chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones told MPs: “The Government are clear that we are not ruling out action in respect of the line of succession at this stage.”
Ministers have since signalled support for legislation that could see Andrew removed from the succession altogether, although any move is likely to take considerable time while police inquiries continue. The Times reports that Thames Valley Police are widening their investigation beyond the original alleged offence linked to Andrew’s time as the UK’s special trade envoy.
Defence minister Luke Pollard said it was “absolutely” the right course of action to ensure Andrew was not “potentially being a heartbeat away from the throne”, regardless of the outcome of the inquiry.
The Government is also expected to release files connected to Andrew’s role as a trade representative, during which he combined official overseas trips with meetings involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In the Commons, trade minister Sir Chris Bryant described Andrew as a “rude, entitled and arrogant” man while confirming ministers would release the documents “as soon as practicable and possible within the law”.
However, any attempt to alter the line of succession would require an Act of Parliament and agreement from Commonwealth realms where the King remains head of state. Countries including Canada, Australia and New Zealand are understood to have indicated support.
There are also discussions about whether Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and their children could also be removed from the line of succession. Eugenie is currently expecting her third child, who would be 15th in line to the throne.
Buckingham Palace has so far declined to comment in detail while the police investigation remains ongoing.