Australia’s prime minister will back any move to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession to the British throne, according to a letter shared by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office, underscoring the potential constitutional ripple effects across the Commonwealth after the former prince’s arrest.
The letter, released by Starmer’s office, said the Australian government supports “any proposal” to alter the succession in light of the criminal investigation involving Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor, who is eighth in line to the throne. It adds Canberra’s voice to mounting pressure in London as authorities examine whether he shared sensitive information with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the U.K.’s trade envoy.
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“I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation,” the Australian prime minister wrote. “These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously.”
Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor, described as a former prince in the letter, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Police detained him for 11 hours on his 66th birthday as officers searched his residence on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, before releasing him under investigation.
Last week, an official said the British government was weighing legislation to ensure Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor could never accede to the throne following his arrest as part of a police probe into his ties to Epstein. Such a move would represent an extraordinary intervention in the royal line of succession and could have implications across multiple Commonwealth realms.
King Charles is head of state not only in the United Kingdom but also in Australia and 13 other countries, making Australia’s early and explicit support significant. While succession is governed through U.K. law and coordinated with other realms, Canberra’s position signals political backing for steps that would bar Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor from becoming king.
The allegations center on whether Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor improperly shared sensitive information while undertaking official duties as the U.K.’s trade envoy, a role that carried diplomatic and commercial responsibilities. Authorities have not filed charges; the investigation continues.
Australia’s message, conveyed through Starmer’s office, balances constitutional caution with a clear stance on accountability. “These are grave allegations,” the letter said, in a line likely to resonate across Commonwealth capitals as they follow developments in London. The prime minister’s endorsement of “any proposal” to remove Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor from the succession suggests Australia would support legislative action in the U.K., should it proceed.
The British police inquiry and any subsequent political steps are expected to determine the timeline for decisions on the succession. For now, Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor remains under investigation, and the Australian government has aligned itself with calls for a full and proper process.
Additional reporting by PA.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
