Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has formally written to the United Kingdom government signalling Australia’s support for any move to remove Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession.
Albanese confirmed he had raised the matter directly with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer through a letter and subsequent exchanges, saying any change would need to begin in London.
“We initiated it. 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,” he told ABC radio on Feb. 24.
He explained that altering the succession is not a decision Australia can take alone.
Any change would have to begin in the United Kingdom. After that, all 14 Commonwealth countries that still have the King as their head of state would need to agree.
In Australia, the federal government would also need the consent of all states and territories, and the prime minister said he will be writting to state premiers and territory chief ministers to seek their views.
The development follows the brief detention of Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III, on Feb. 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was released after nearly 12 hours without charge but remains under investigation.
He was questioned at Aylsham police station in Norfolk over allegations he shared confidential information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.
Asked whether it was appropriate to raise the issue of succession before the investigation concludes, Albanese said the government was preparing for possible outcomes.
“These are very serious allegations. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will face the full force of the law. His Majesty, 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 said.
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