Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday his government was writing to the Commonwealth realms that it would back the removal for former prince Andrew from the line of royal succession.
Albanese said he had been in touch with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the former royal who is being investigated for alleged misconduct in public office, after new revelations of his links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“Australia likes being first and we have made sure that everyone knows what our position is and we’ll be writing today to the other realm countries as well, informing them of our position,” Albanese told public broadcaster ABC.
Albanese told reporters that Australians were “disgusted” by the “grave” revelations.
“King Charles has said that the law must now take its full course. There must be a full, fair and proper investigation. And that needs to occur,” he added.
New Zealand says would support removal
Meanwhile, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s office said it would also back such a move, in a statement to media on Tuesday.
“The bottom line is no one is above the law, and once that investigation is closed, should the UK government decide to remove him from the line of succession, that is something we would support,” Luxon told reporters after the statement was released.
Where is Andrew on the line of succession?
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly prince Andrew, is the third child of late Queen Elizabeth II.
He is currently eighth in the royal line of succession, behind prince William, prince George, princess Charlotte, prince Louis, prince Harry, prince Archie and princess Lilibet.
Last week, Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of leaking confidential government documents while in public office. The allegations originate from documents released by the US Department of Justice as part of the so-called Epstein Files.
The UK Police released Mountbatten-Windsor “under investigation” after 11 hours in custody but the arrest itself was unprecedented in modern British history.
Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing over his ties to Epstein but has not responded to the latest allegations.
In response to the investigation, the British government said it was considering introducing legislation to ensure the former prince could never be king. The Commonwealth reals would also have to consent to the move for a formal removal.
What is Australia’s role in this?
Australia was a British colony and hence part of the Commonwealth, like New Zealand.
While it gained independence in 1901, it has never become a fully fledged republic and still formally considers the British sovereign as the head of state.
Albanese dismissed plans to hold a vote to change that now.
“I’m a republican. His Majesty King Charles is very aware of that as well. But the government doesn’t have any plans to hold a referendum,” he said.
Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko
