Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated his support for proposals to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession to the British throne. In a letter sent to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office, Albanese said Australia would agree to any legislative change following Mountbatten-Windsor’s recent arrest as part of a police investigation into his alleged links with the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein.
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The British government is considering legislation that would permanently exclude Mountbatten-Windsor, currently eighth in line to the throne, from ever becoming king. Any alteration to the succession requires approval not only from the UK but also from the other realms where King Charles is head of state, including Australia and 13 additional countries.
In his correspondence, Albanese stated that his government supported allowing the law to take its full course, stressing the seriousness of the allegations. He said Australians expected a full, fair and proper investigation, noting that the claims were being treated with gravity across the country.
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Changes to the succession were last made in 2013, when male-preference primogeniture was abolished. The UK government has said any further action would follow the conclusion of ongoing police investigations, including inquiries into whether Mountbatten-Windsor committed misconduct in public office during his time as a government trade envoy. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
