By Blessing Nweke
New Zealand has indicated it would support any United Kingdom proposal to remove Prince Andrew from the royal line of succession, according to a spokesperson for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
The statement follows comments from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said his government would agree to any move to remove Andrew from the succession amid scrutiny over his links to convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has denied wrongdoing.
The UK government is reportedly considering legislation that could formally remove Andrew from the line of succession after his recent arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Speaking at a press conference in Auckland, Luxon said Wellington had been in contact with the UK Cabinet Office, stressing that New Zealand’s position was clear.
“The bottom line is no one is above the law,” Luxon said, adding that New Zealand would support removal should the investigation conclude and London decide to act.
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour downplayed the issue’s domestic significance, saying many New Zealanders were focused on more immediate concerns.
Following Andrew’s arrest, his brother King Charles III emphasised that the matter should be handled through a “full, fair and proper process” by the relevant authorities.
In a letter addressed to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Albanese wrote that the law must take its course, describing the allegations as serious.
Any removal from the succession would require an Act of Parliament backed by the 14 Commonwealth realms where Charles is head of state. The last such change occurred in 1936 when Edward VIII and his descendants were removed following his abdication.
Buckingham Palace has not publicly commented on the potential legislation.
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