The call puts a Commonwealth head of government on record demanding a formal succession change for a member of the British royal family — a step with direct constitutional significance for Canada, whose head of state is King Charles III. Mountbatten-Windsor, Charles’ younger brother, was stripped of his royal status in October over close associations with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein but remains eighth in line to the throne.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called Friday for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to be removed from the British royal line of succession, saying the former prince’s conduct was “deplorable” and that removing him from the succession order was a matter of principle — not merely precedent.
Carney, speaking to reporters in Tokyo, said the actions that led to Mountbatten-Windsor losing his royal titles “necessitate” his exclusion from the line of succession as well. “Even though he is well down” the line, Carney said, “the point of principle stands.”
Mountbatten-Windsor — King Charles III’s younger brother, formerly known as Prince Andrew — was stripped of his royal status in October over his close associations with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Despite losing his title, Mountbatten-Windsor remains eighth in line to become monarch.
Carney, a former governor of the Bank of England, said an established process exists for removing someone from the royal line of succession and indicated that process should be used.
Canada is a member of the Commonwealth of former British colonies, and King Charles III serves as the country’s head of state, giving Canadian government officials a direct constitutional interest in questions of royal succession. Under the current order, Charles’ son Prince William is heir to the throne, followed by William’s three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.