Australian PM Says Former Prince Andrew’s Arrest Won’t Trigger Republic Vote

Published: 21 February 2026, The English Chronicle Desk, The English Chronicle Online

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the arrest of former royal Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor as an “extraordinary fall from grace” but made clear that it will not trigger another referendum on Australia becoming a republic. The comments come amid global attention on the former prince’s legal troubles and his dramatic shift in public standing.

Speaking on the Guardian Australia podcast, Albanese acknowledged that the 66‑year‑old’s arrest in the UK — on suspicion of misconduct in public office while serving as a trade envoy — marks a significant decline for someone who once lived a life of “absolute privilege.” But despite his personal support for the idea of Australia having an Australian head of state, the prime minister emphasised that a new republic referendum is not on the government’s agenda.

Albanese, who has been open about his republican views in the past, pointed to the difficulty of passing constitutional referendums in Australia and noted that the recent defeat of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament vote has made another high‑stakes constitutional crusade unlikely during his term. “Referendums are hard to pass in Australia,” he said, and stressed his ongoing respect for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as well as the positive relationship between Australia and the British monarchy.

The former prince, who had many titles stripped in 2024 but remains eighth in the line of succession, denies all allegations related to the investigation. His arrest and subsequent release while inquiries continue have sparked discussion across Commonwealth realms about accountability and the role of the monarchy in modern society.

Some figures within Australia’s political landscape have called for a broader debate on constitutional ties to the monarchy in light of the scandal, arguing the situation highlights the symbolic relevance of the monarchy. However, Albanese’s government has ruled out pursuing a referendum while he remains prime minister, focusing instead on other priorities such as economic and social policy.

The English Chronicle will continue to follow this developing story, including further reactions from both republican and monarchist voices in Australia and abroad.

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