New Zealand Backs Removing Andrew From Royal Line of Succession

Published: 24 February 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

New Zealand has publicly signalled it would support any move by the United Kingdom government to remove Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor from the line of succession to the British throne, aligning itself with Australia and other Commonwealth realms as pressure mounts over the disgraced former prince’s future.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed that Wellington would back London if it proposes to strip Mountbatten‑Windsor of his position in the order of succession once legal proceedings and investigations into alleged misconduct conclude. “No one is above the law,” Luxon said, underscoring New Zealand’s stance that the rule of law should guide any constitutional changes involving the monarchy.

Mountbatten‑Windsor, 66 years old and the younger brother of King Charles III, currently sits eighth in line to the throne, despite having been stripped of his royal titles and public duties amid ongoing controversy linked to his connections with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His arrest last week on suspicion of misconduct in a public office has intensified calls for his exclusion from succession.

The British government has indicated that any legislative action to remove Mountbatten‑Windsor’s succession rights would follow the completion of the police investigation into allegations surrounding his conduct. Such a change would require an Act of Parliament and the agreement of the 14 other countries in the Commonwealth realms that recognise the UK monarch as head of state, including New Zealand, Australia and Canada.

Australia was the first realm to publicly offer its support for removing Mountbatten‑Windsor, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese writing to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to express backing for any such proposal and emphasising the seriousness with which Australians view the allegations. New Zealand’s statement follows that precedent and reflects a broader shift in attitudes among Commonwealth leaders.

Changing the line of succession is rare in modern constitutional history; the last significant alteration occurred in 1936 when King Edward VIII abdicated, leading to his removal and that of his descendants from the order. Any potential removal of Mountbatten‑Windsor now would mark a highly unusual use of succession law, further highlighting constitutional and legal complexities triggered by the ongoing investigation.

Mountbatten‑Windsor has denied any wrongdoing and has not been formally charged. Buckingham Palace has not opposed the principle that the legal process should run its course. As discussions continue among Commonwealth governments and within the UK Parliament, the question of whether a former senior royal should be excluded from succession remains a matter of constitutional debate and legal scrutiny.

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