Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for Prince Andrew to be removed from the line of royal succession, describing the royal’s past behaviour as deplorable and damaging to public trust. Carney made the remarks on Saturday while speaking to reporters during an official visit to Tokyo, where he held discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on diplomatic and economic matters.
Carney said that although there is a formal constitutional process required to alter the order of royal succession, the seriousness of the allegations surrounding Andrew makes such a move necessary. According to the Canadian leader, the controversy has already resulted in Andrew losing his royal titles and public responsibilities, which he believes should logically extend to his removal from the line of succession as well.
Prince Andrew, whose full name is Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, has faced intense scrutiny over his past relationship with the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of offences. Authorities have been investigating claims related to Andrew’s activities during his time as a United Kingdom trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. Reports alleged that confidential information may have been shared with Epstein during that period. Andrew was arrested earlier this year and later released while investigations continued.
The royal has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing connected to Epstein. However, the controversy deepened after Virginia Giuffre accused Andrew of ual misconduct, claiming she had been trafficked to him on several occasions when she was a teenager. Andrew settled a civil lawsuit filed in the United States in 2022 without admitting liability.
Carney’s comments come as pressure grows internationally. Governments in Australia and New Zealand have also voiced support for removing Andrew from the royal line of succession. Any official ce would require action by the British government and agreement from the fourteen Commonwealth realms that recognize King Charles III as head of state.
The issue continues to generate debate about accountability within royal institutions and the future structure of the monarchy across the Commonwealth.
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