- A Constitutional crisis for the crown
- Mounting pressure on King Charles
- The complex path to removing Andrew
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office presents the British royal family with one of its most serious crises in recent history. The 66-year-old, the third child of the late Queen Elizabeth II and younger brother of King Charles III, was taken into custody on his birthday. The royal continues to firmly deny all allegations connected to his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
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Experts Call for Swift Removal From the Line of Succession
According to the New York Post, royal expert and author Robert Jobson described the situation as a “heavy blow for the royal family” and called for decisive action regarding the line of succession.
“Andrew must be removed ... don't argue why it is difficult. Just do it,” Jobson said.
Although King Charles stripped his brother of his honorary military titles and royal patronages last year, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne — behind the monarch’s children and grandchildren.
Jobson argues that the simplest solution would be for Andrew to voluntarily step aside. “He should do this to ease the burden on his brother,” he said. However, he added that such a move is unlikely to happen willingly.
Political Hurdles to Ending Andrew’s Claim
If Andrew refuses to relinquish his place, removing him would require complex legal action. As Jobson explains, the order of succession can only be changed through legislation — and not just in the United Kingdom, but in every country where King Charles serves as head of state.
The monarch is currently head of state in 15 Commonwealth realms, including Canada and Australia. Each of these nations would need to pass its own legislation to amend the line of succession.
A comparable constitutional step was last taken in 1936 with the Abdication Act, when King Edward VIII abdicated and both he and his descendants were excluded from the line of succession.
According to The Independent, members of both the Labour and Conservative parties have openly called for Andrew to lose any claim to the throne.
King Charles Caught Between Public Pressure and Family Ties
Although Andrew was released while investigations continue, King Charles, 77, is increasingly facing public scrutiny. During a recent appearance at London Fashion Week, he was reportedly confronted with renewed calls for action against his brother.
Author Lady Colin Campbell told the New York Post that the ongoing scandal is weighing heavily on the monarch, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment. While the royal family continues to carry out its official duties, the situation is being treated as “extremely serious.”
Charles has pledged his “full and wholehearted support and co-operation” for the investigations, emphasizing that “the law must take its course.”
The Symbolic Weight of the Line of Succession
Although eighth place in the line of succession may seem far removed from the throne, experts stress its strong symbolic significance.
The line begins with heir apparent Prince William, followed by his three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Next come Prince Harry and his children, Archie and Lilibet, before Andrew appears in the current order.
Behind him are his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and their children, followed by Prince Edward, his children, and Princess Anne and her descendants.
