UK Considers Law to Strip Ex-Prince Andrew of Succession
Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles III's younger brother, was formally stripped of his royal titles — including that of prince — last year due to his documented associations with Epstein. The crisis surrounding him sharpened considerably after the US Department of Justice released the final batch of Epstein documents earlier this month, several of which implicate the former prince in sexual offenses and professional misconduct. Despite losing his titles, he continues to hold eighth place in the line of succession and retains his designation as a counsellor of state, granting him authority to act on behalf of the King during periods of illness or foreign travel.
The Guardian and BBC both report that the government is now examining formal legislative avenues to sever that succession link entirely. Buckingham Palace has declined to issue any public statement, though sources familiar with internal discussions indicate the royal family would not stand in the way of such a move. King Charles has previously signaled his support for the investigation into his brother's conduct. Even so, analysts note the constitutional complexity involved: any removal would require passage through both chambers of Parliament, royal assent, and — under the Statute of Westminster 1931 — the agreement of all 14 Commonwealth realms, among them Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Pressure for legislative action escalated sharply following Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest this week on suspicion of "misconduct in public office" over allegations that he leaked classified government information to Epstein during his tenure as the UK's trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, media reports say. He was released the same day "under investigation" and denies any wrongdoing. Senior ministers, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are said to be inclined to hold off on any formal succession measures until the police investigation runs its course.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether allegations of sexual abuse or human trafficking connected to the former prince will be incorporated into the active probe. The newly released Epstein documents contain an anonymous tip alleging that Mountbatten-Windsor tortured a six-year-old child, as well as materials corroborating Virginia Giuffre's account that she was trafficked to him at the age of 17. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025.
The broader Epstein file releases have ignited scandals, triggered resignations, and prompted criminal investigations across multiple countries. A number of prominent Western figures named in the documents have denied wrongdoing and face no charges. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has accused Western governments of actively protecting Epstein's associates, while Kirill Dmitriev, an aide to President Vladimir Putin, described those implicated as "satanic."
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