New push to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from line of succession

Despite being stripped of his royal titles and sent packing from his 31-bedroom mansion, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has retained his succession rights.

The former prince, whose exile from the royal family was brought on by his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is currently eighth in line to the throne.

But now there is a renewed push to have the disgraced 65-year-old removed from the line of succession as outrage over his Epstein links grow.

Later this week, Andrew will turn 66. His birthday, on Thursday February 19, will come and go with little fanfare.

The last time the royal family's official social media accounts acknowledged his birthday was in 2020, when he turned 60 – just months after Andrew stepped back from public duties following his disastrous interview with the BBC.

His name has barely left the headlines after King Charles formally revoked his Duke of York title, and other royal honours, in October.

And in late January, Andrew was finally removed from Royal Lodge after the release of millions of documents relating to Epstein further exposed his links to the disgraced financier. Andrew's departure from the Windsor home was reportedly hastened amid the release of new files.

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The revelations have kept coming and now, calls are increasing for an inquiry into Andrew's time as trade envoy.

New emails have revealed that Andrew dined with a model during a taxpayer-funded trip to China, while his aide sent photos of the pair to Epstein.

The documents, released by the US Department of Justice, appear to show Andrew sharing confidential reports from his visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore, while the UK's trade envoy, with Epstein.

"We need a police or DPP (director of public prosecutions) check on whether criminal corruption took place and a government investigation into how this was allowed to happen," Sir Vince Cable, who served as business secretary between 2010 and 2015, told the BBC.

Now, a British politician has said the former prince should not be in line for the throne.

Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, told the BBC: "time and time again, we have seen that Andrew has been conservative with the truth".

Andrew remains eighth in the British line of succession, underneath Princess Lilibet of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan's youngest child who is four.

In late November, the list was updated to reflect the removal of Andrew's royal titles.

He went from being listed as the Duke of York to simply Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, reflecting his demotion to that of a commoner.

Those who sit above him include the Prince of Wales and his three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and Prince Harry and his two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Andrew also remains a counsellor of state – a member of the royal family who can carry out state duties on behalf of the monarch, if the sovereign is not available.

Maskell wants that to change.

"All of these titles and positions need to be addressed, so we are just left with Andrew the citizen, and a citizen that is fully accountable," she said.

Last week, palace sources told The Times there were were no plans to remove Andrew as a counsellor of state as he was unlikely to be called upon.

Buckingham Palace has previously said Andrew would not be asked to perform the role.

Although very unlikely, there is still the possibility that Andrew could find himself on the throne.

Under that scenario, Andrew would be crowned regent if King Charles and the Prince of Wales met their demise in the next five years.

The next in line to the throne – Prince George – would have no constitutional powers as King until he turned 18 in July 2031.

Prince Harry, the candidate after George, would be ruled ineligible due to living in the United States.

In October last year, Maskell was among a number of politicians who called for Andrew to be removed from the line of succession.

As well as an Act of Parliament being passed, it would need the consent of all 14 Commonwealth realms – including Australia – to change the line of succession.

But Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously ruled out changing the law.

In October a UK government spokesman said: "There are no plans … The Government is committed to using parliamentary time to improve the lives of working people.

"There are no plans to make legislative changes.

"Obviously the provisions for MPs to put forward legislation are well-established. Those would be decisions for MPs and Parliament."

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