The UK government is considering legislation that could remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession once ongoing police investigations into his conduct are concluded, a senior official has confirmed.
The former prince was arrested this week at his Norfolk home on suspicion of misconduct in public office and later released under investigation after spending nearly 10 hours in custody. He denies all allegations.
Authorities are now widening their inquiries to include former and serving royal protection officers who worked closely with Andrew, examining whether they witnessed or became aware of information relevant to the case.
Despite being stripped of his royal titles and removed from public duties by his brother, King Charles III, Andrew remains eighth in line to the British throne. Any move to formally remove him from the line of succession would require new legislation not only in the UK, but also in all Commonwealth nations where King Charles is head of state, including Australia.
On Friday, Metropolitan Police Service confirmed it was contacting officers who may have served in a protection capacity with Andrew.
“They have been asked to consider carefully whether anything they saw or heard during that period of service may be relevant to our ongoing reviews and to share any information that could assist us,” the force said in a statement.
Investigators believe Andrew’s arrest is linked to claims he passed sensitive government documents to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time as a UK trade commissioner in the early 2000s.
Police stressed that the arrest is not connected to past sexual assault accusations involving a woman who alleged she was trafficked to Andrew as a teenager — allegations the former royal has consistently denied. No new sexual offence charges have been brought within the Met’s jurisdiction.
At least nine police forces across the UK are reviewing or have opened investigations into various claims relating to Andrew. The 66-year-old stepped back from royal duties in 2019 and later reached a multi-million-pound out-of-court settlement with his accuser.
In a separate development, the Met said it is also reviewing information suggesting London airports may have been used to facilitate human trafficking and sexual exploitation, following disclosures in recently released Epstein-related files. Police noted this review is separate from the inquiry into Andrew.
Andrew was released pending further investigation, and authorities say their inquiries remain ongoing.
