In order to remove him from the line of succession, which could one day mean he’d be King, an Act of Parliament would be required.
Sir Keir Starmer’s government will consider introducing such legislation once the police have finished their investigation into him, the Press Association understands.
Any changes to the line of succession would also require the agreement of other countries which share the UK monarch.
Why was Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested this week?
Andrew was arrested on Thursday (February 19) on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
He was held in custody for 11 hours before being released under investigation.
Detectives continued to search Andrew’s former home in Berkshire on Friday (February 20).
Is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor still a prince?
In October 2025, His Majesty King Charles initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew, which meant he was no longer credited as the Duke of York.
The Royal family member, who served as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, has since been known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Following this announcement, he also moved out of the Royal Lodge in Windsor and relocated to a property on the Sandringham Estate.
Who is in the line of succession?
The line of succession is currently as follows:
Prince of Wales
Prince George of Wales
Princess Charlotte of Wales
Prince Louis of Wales
Duke of Sussex
Prince Archie of Sussex
Princess Lillibet of Sussex
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Princess Beatrice
Sienna Mapelli Mozzi
Athena Mapelli Mozzi
Princess Eugenie
August Brooksbank
Ernest Brooksbank
Duke of Edinburgh
Earl of Wessex
Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor
Princess Royal
What did King Charles say about his brother Andrew’s arrest?
After Andrew’s arrest, the King said in a statement that “the law must take its course” and the police have “our full and wholehearted support and co-operation”.
In response to the arrest, Charles said: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.
“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.
“In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”