UK Mulls Law To Formally Remove Andrew From Royal Succession: Who’s Next In Line?

Last Updated:February 23, 2026, 18:52 IST

Andrew was arrested and released, and Parliament may now cut him from the royal line. We break down exactly who stands in line for the British throne.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the King’s younger brother, was arrested on February 19, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released under investigation hours later. Police were looking into claims that he shared confidential material connected to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing.

The UK government is now considering legislation to formally remove him from the line of succession, according to a report by The Guardian.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already said his government would back the move, reported BBC.

Since King Charles is head of state in 15 countries, any change would need sign-off from all of them

For now, Andrew remains 8th in line. But who actually stands between him and the throne?

King Charles III sits on the throne. After him, the line runs through his elder son William, Prince of Wales (1st), followed by William’s three children: Prince George (2nd), Princess Charlotte (3rd), and Prince Louis (4th). Then comes Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (5th), followed by his two children, Prince Archie (6th) and Princess Lilibet (7th).

That brings us to Andrew at 8th. If he is removed, those behind him simply stay where they are. No one moves up; the gap just closes.

Directly behind Andrew are his daughters, Princess Beatrice (9th) and Princess Eugenie (12th), along with Beatrice’s children Sienna (10th) and Athena (11th), and Eugenie’s sons August (13th) and Ernest (14th).

ALSO READ: Former Prince Andrew Charged Taxpayers For Massage Services, Travel: Report

Further down the list sit Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh (15th), King Charles’s younger brother, and his children James, Earl of Wessex (16th) and Lady Louise (17th). After them comes Princess Anne, the Princess Royal (18th), and her extended family through to Lucas Tindall at 25th.

Andrew lost his royal titles, including his “Duke of York" title, back in October 2025 as pressure over his Epstein ties mounted. Removing him from the line of succession entirely would require an Act of Parliament, royal assent from the King, and agreement from the Commonwealth realms where Charles serves as head of state.

The investigation is ongoing. Whether the legislation moves forward quickly will depend on both Parliament and the outcome of the police inquiry.

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