Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could be removed from royal line of succession

Buckingham Palace will reportedly not oppose Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor losing his place in the line of succession.

The former prince and Duke of York was arrested by Thames Valley Police on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The force previously said it was reviewing allegations that Andrew shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.

Andrew 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.

He has strenuously denied any wrongdoing over his links to Epstein.

Questions have arisen over whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will be removed from the line of succession (Karwai Tang/Getty Images)

Last year, King Charles III stripped Andrew of both his prince and Duke of York titles, as well as instructing him to vacate his royal residence.

However, the former Duke of York is still eighth in line to the throne, and an act of Parliament would be required to remove Andrew and prevent him from ever becoming king.

According to the BBC, the UK government is considering introducing legislation to remove him from the line of succession.

Doing so is a long process that would require an act of Parliament supported by the 14 Commonwealth countries where the King is head of state.

For those who are unfamiliar, the line of succession outlines the members of the Royal Family in the order in which they stand in line to the throne.

Although it's extremely unlikely Andrew would ever be king anyway, due to being eighth in line, removing him from the list means he could officially never become the UK's monarch.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray told Sky News: "The government is considering any further steps that might be required, and we're not ruling anything out.

"But at this stage, it would be inappropriate for us to go any further because there is a live police investigation underway."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already endorsed the potential move (ANDREW MATTHEWS/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, according to The Guardian, sources say that Buckingham Palace would not oppose plans to remove Andrew from the royal line of succession.

The 14 Commonwealth countries that would have to agree are: Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already expressed his support for such a proposal in a letter sent to the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.

As per the BBC, the politician's letter reads: "Dear Prime Minister Starmer, 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.

"I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation. These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously."

The line of Succession

1. The Prince of Wales

2. Prince George of Wales

3. Princess Charlotte of Wales

4. Prince Louis of Wales

5. The Duke of Sussex

6. Prince Archie of Sussex

7. Princess Lilibet of Sussex

8. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

9. Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

10. Miss Sienna Mapelli Mozzi

11. Miss Athena Mapelli Mozzi

12. Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank

13. Master August Brooksbank

14. Master Ernest Brooksbank

15. The Duke of Edinburgh

16. Earl of Wessex

17. The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor

18. The Princess Royal

19. Mr. Peter Phillips

20. Miss Savannah Phillips

21. Miss Isla Phillips

22. Mrs. Michael Tindall

23. Miss Mia Tindall

24. Miss Lena Tindall

25. Master Lucas Tindall