Canada’s prime minister has joined a growing list of Commonwealth leaders who support removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession.
Mark Carney, who previously served as governor of the Bank of England, condemned the former prince’s behavior as “deplorable” and said his actions were “necessary” to remove him.
Canada’s Prime Minister acknowledged the possibility Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – eighth in line to the throne – was short of being king, he believed it to be a “point of principle”.
The former prince’s arrest last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office prompted a formal summons to him. Removed from hereditary dynasty.
Any changes to the line of succession in the UK can only be made with an Act of Parliament and require the agreement of the 14 other countries where King Charles is head of state.
Mr Carney did not release a formal statement, but responded to questions from reporters in Tokyo on the final day of his tour of Japan.
He said that while Mountbatten-Windsor was “well” in the line of succession, “the point of principle stands”.
The Canadian prime minister added: “I certainly think his actions are deplorable and that he has been stripped of his royal titles, certainly…he needs to be removed from the line of succession.”
He said there was a process to remove someone from the line of succession, which had to be followed.
Mr Carney is the latest leader to back that move, after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand. Came to support Action in February.
Australian PM Anthony Albanese (left) and Canadian PM Mark Carney. Image: Reuters
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Speaking in February, Sky Royal commentator Alastair Bruce said the procedure would not be straightforward.
He said: “It will take a lot of time, and I don’t think parliaments around the world, where the king is the head of state, are looking forward to finding the time to do it.”
The former prince is currently eighth in line behind Princes William and Harry and their five children.
After the former Duke of York renounced his royal titles in October last year, the US Department of Justice released new details about links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing.
