Prince Andrew is currently eighth in line to the British throne. But if the Australian government gets its way, that won’t be the case for much longer.
Ministers in Canberra are now publicly backing a move to have the Duke of York removed from the royal line of succession. It’s a bold step that highlights just how much the relationship between Australia and the royals has shifted over the last few years.
A question of standards
Matt Thistlethwaite, the Assistant Minister for the Republic, says it’s time to be realistic. He argues that someone who no longer performs official duties shouldn’t hold such a prominent place in the order of inheritance.
Andrew stepped back from public life following the fallout from his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. While he’s kept his titles, his role in the “Firm” has essentially evaporated. Australia is now saying the paperwork should reflect that reality.
And it isn’t just about one person. This move represents a growing feeling that the rules governing the monarchy are out of step with modern values.
The message to London
This isn’t a small request. For many Australians, having a disgraced royal even theoretically close to being their head of state feels like a relic of the past. It’s a signal that the country is looking at its ties to the crown with a much more critical eye.
But changing the line of succession isn’t a simple fix. It requires coordination across several Commonwealth countries and a change in British law. It’s a massive legal headache that Buckingham Palace would likely prefer to avoid right now.
Recent polls show that public sentiment in Australia is cooling toward the monarchy. By taking this stand, the government is tapping into a broader debate about whether the current system still makes sense for a modern nation.
What happens now?
The Palace hasn’t made any formal moves to change the order yet. King Charles faces a difficult choice: stick to tradition or listen to the concerns of a major Commonwealth partner.
As the debate continues, the pressure on London to modernise the rules is only going to grow. Whether the King is ready to sign off on such a big change is the question everyone is waiting to see answered.