The UK government is examining possible legislation to remove Prince Andrew from the royal line of succession, a move that would permanently bar him from becoming monarch.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the proposal was “the right thing to do”, though he stressed that any formal step should follow the conclusion of the ongoing police investigation. Andrew, the brother of King Charles III, is currently eighth in line to the throne despite having stepped back from public duties and losing several royal titles amid longstanding controversy over his association with Jeffrey Epstein. He denies wrongdoing.
Pollard confirmed that ministers have been working with Buckingham Palace on the matter, describing it as an issue that could attract cross-party backing once legal processes are complete. Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray cautioned that the situation is legally complex and should not interfere with the police inquiry.
Legislative pathway and constitutional hurdles
Any change to the line of succession would require an Act of Parliament, approval from both Houses, and royal assent. It would also need agreement from the 14 Commonwealth realms where the British monarch serves as head of state, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The most recent major reform occurred through the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, which ended male-preference primogeniture and removed restrictions linked to marriage to Catholics. The last time an individual was removed from the line of succession by legislation was in 1936, following the abdication of Edward VIII.
According to the House of Commons Library, removing Andrew from the line of succession would also strip him of eligibility to serve as a Counsellor of State, a role that allows senior royals to carry out official duties if the monarch is unavailable.
Political reactions
Several parties have signalled support for potential legislation. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said Parliament may need to address the issue “when the time is right”, while SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn indicated his party would back such a move if required. Labour MP Rachael Maskell has also expressed support.
However, some lawmakers question the necessity of legislation, noting the improbability of Andrew ever ascending the throne.
Royal historian David Olusoga suggested there is growing pressure within both government and palace circles to clearly separate the monarchy as an institution from the controversy surrounding Andrew.
Police searches linked to the investigation have continued at Royal Lodge in Windsor, though authorities have not disclosed further details. The outcome of those inquiries is likely to shape the timing and scope of any parliamentary action.
About the author
Six US airmen die in Iraq KC-135 crash
The US military has confirmed the identities of six airmen killed when a KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. The victims were: John Klinner, 33, from Alabama; Ariana Savino, 31, from Washington; Ashley Pruitt, 34, from Kentucky; Seth Koval, 38, from Indiana; Curtis Angst, 30, from Ohio; and Tyler Simmons, 28, also from Ohio. The first three served in the Air Force, while the latter three were part of the National Guard. The Pentagon confirmed that neither hostile action nor friendly fire caused the crash. The KC-135 was on a combat mission as part of ongoing US operations targeting Iran. A second aircraft involved in the mission landed safely. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the crew as “American heroes,” honoring their service. Officials suggested the crash may have resulted from a midair collision, though investigations are […]
Trump urges allies to secure Strait of Hormuz
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified after Donald Trump called on several countries to deploy naval forces to secure the strategic shipping corridor linking the Persian Gulf to global markets. The US president urged nations including United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, and South Korea to send warships to the region. According to him, a multinational naval presence would help guarantee the safety of commercial vessels navigating the route, which carries a significant portion of the world’s oil supply. In a message posted on the social platform Truth Social, Trump said many countries were expected to cooperate with the United States to ensure that the passage remains open. He warned that despite recent military operations against Iran, Tehran could still pose threats to ships through drones, mines, or short-range missile attacks. The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of […]
CODITOGO critique la session du Cadre de concertation
La Coalition togolaise pour l’alternance et la démocratie (CODITOGO) a publié le 4 mars 2026 un communiqué dans lequel elle critique l’ouverture de la nouvelle session du Cadre permanent de concertation (CPC) au Togo. L’organisation d’opposition estime que cette initiative s’inscrit dans une stratégie politique du pouvoir en place. Selon CODITOGO, la première session de l’année 2026 du CPC s’est tenue le 19 février lors de sa 25ᵉ réunion. Les discussions auraient porté sur plusieurs sujets, notamment la Commission électorale nationale indépendante (CENI), le fonctionnement du CPC ainsi que la participation de candidats indépendants dans le nouveau contexte institutionnel marqué par l’évolution vers un régime parlementaire. À l’issue de la rencontre, trois commissions auraient été créées pour approfondir ces questions et proposer des recommandations d’ici la fin du mois de mars. Les promoteurs de ces travaux affirment que cette démarche […]
Déguerpissements et occupations illégales à Lomé
Une opération de déguerpissement menée à la fin de l’année 2025 autour des voies ferrées de Lomé a fortement perturbé l’activité de nombreux petits commerçants installés le long des rails. Plusieurs étals et installations ont été retirés, suscitant l’inquiétude des riverains et des vendeurs concernés. Selon plusieurs sources, cette opération serait liée à une décision de l’Agence Nationale d’Assainissement et de Salubrité Publique visant à libérer les emprises ferroviaires et à améliorer l’environnement urbain. Dans ce contexte, une note attribuée au directeur général du Port Autonome de Lomé, le contre-amiral Fogan Adégnon, demandait le démantèlement immédiat des installations situées sur ces zones. Le document invitait les occupants à quitter les lieux avant le 30 novembre 2025. Les secteurs concernés comprenaient notamment la voie ferrée située sous le pont menant à la ligne Lomé–Aného, la zone de la gare routière ainsi […]
Togo–États-Unis : un partenariat aux enjeux stratégiques
Depuis plusieurs décennies, la relation diplomatique entre les États-Unis et le Togo est souvent présentée comme un partenariat stratégique. Pourtant, pour de nombreux observateurs, cette coopération reflète surtout une relation où les intérêts des deux pays ne pèsent pas de la même manière. Sur la scène internationale, les grandes puissances entretiennent fréquemment des liens avec des États plus modestes afin de consolider leur présence dans certaines régions. Dans ce contexte, Washington considère Lomé comme un partenaire utile, notamment pour maintenir une influence diplomatique en Afrique de l’Ouest. La position géographique du Togo, un pays relativement petit situé entre plusieurs États de la région, limite toutefois son poids dans les équilibres internationaux. Malgré cela, les autorités togolaises cherchent à renforcer leur visibilité et à jouer un rôle plus actif dans les affaires régionales et internationales. Depuis son arrivée au pouvoir en […]
Le Togo participera à l’Expo universelle Belgrade 2027
Le Togo prendra part à l’Exposition universelle de Belgrade 2027. L’accord officialisant cette participation a été signé entre Alexandre de Souza, commissaire général du Togo pour l’événement, et Jagoda Lazarević, ministre serbe du Commerce. À travers cette présence, le Togo entend mettre en avant ses atouts culturels, le potentiel de sa jeunesse ainsi que le dynamisme de son économie. Selon Alexandre de Souza, le pays souhaite apporter une contribution significative à cet événement international en valorisant la richesse de son patrimoine et ses perspectives de développement. L’exposition se déroulera du 15 mai au 15 août 2027 à Belgrade, en Serbie, autour du thème : « Jouons pour l’humanité – Sport et musique pour tous ». Placée sous l’égide du Bureau International des Expositions, la manifestation mettra en avant des valeurs universelles telles que la solidarité, la créativité et le dialogue […]
Related
Netanyahu mocks false social media rumours about his death
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mocked viral social media rumours falsely claiming that he had died.The claims spread online after his recent televised address, with some users even suggesting the video was generated by artificial intelligence. In response, Netanyahu posted a short video on his official X account, filmed at a cafe outside Jerusalem, to show he is alive and well.Receiving a cup of coffee, he joked in Hebrew, “I’m dead for coffee,” using a common phrase meaning he really loves coffee. He then raised his hands to the camera and asked viewers if they wanted to count his fingers, directly addressing online speculation that earlier footage showed him with six fingers.Social media users had shared slowed clips and screenshots of his last address, claiming what they called an “AI finger glitch” proved the video was fake. Netanyahu used […]
Iran warns against wider war as Trump urges allies to escort ships
Iran has warned foreign countries not to join a proposed naval coalition to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, saying wider involvement could escalate the ongoing conflict into a broader war.The warning came after US President Donald Trump called on allies and major energy importers to send warships to protect vessels in the strategic waterway. In a phone call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged France and other nations to refrain from any action that might expand the fighting.He cautioned that further militarisation of the Gulf could push the region toward a confrontation that would be difficult to control. Iran has previously said it is prepared for a prolonged conflict with the United States and Israel and warned that such a war could severely damage or even “destroy” the global economy.The country […]
Six US airmen die in Iraq KC-135 crash
The US military has confirmed the identities of six airmen killed when a KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. The victims were: John Klinner, 33, from Alabama; Ariana Savino, 31, from Washington; Ashley Pruitt, 34, from Kentucky; Seth Koval, 38, from Indiana; Curtis Angst, 30, from Ohio; and Tyler Simmons, 28, also from Ohio. The first three served in the Air Force, while the latter three were part of the National Guard. The Pentagon confirmed that neither hostile action nor friendly fire caused the crash. The KC-135 was on a combat mission as part of ongoing US operations targeting Iran. A second aircraft involved in the mission landed safely. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the crew as “American heroes,” honoring their service. Officials suggested the crash may have resulted from a midair collision, though investigations are […]
Trump urges allies to secure Strait of Hormuz
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified after Donald Trump called on several countries to deploy naval forces to secure the strategic shipping corridor linking the Persian Gulf to global markets. The US president urged nations including United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, and South Korea to send warships to the region. According to him, a multinational naval presence would help guarantee the safety of commercial vessels navigating the route, which carries a significant portion of the world’s oil supply. In a message posted on the social platform Truth Social, Trump said many countries were expected to cooperate with the United States to ensure that the passage remains open. He warned that despite recent military operations against Iran, Tehran could still pose threats to ships through drones, mines, or short-range missile attacks. The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of […]
Trump says Iran’s new Supreme Leader is alive but “damaged”
United States President Donald Trump says he believes Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive but “damaged” after the US and Israel’s opening strikes on Iran. Mojtaba, whose father and former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the war, has not been seen in public since he was selected by Iran’s Assembly of Experts on March 8. His first comments to the nation were delivered as a written message read out by a television presenter, fuelling speculation about his condition. An Iranian official told Reuters that the new leader was “lightly injured” and continues to function, with state TV referring to him as “war wounded.” Asked about rumours that Mojtaba might be dead or incapacitated, Trump told Fox News’ “Brian Kilmeade Show”: “I think he probably is (alive). I think he is […]
I lost my father and wife, Iran’s new Supreme Leader vows revenge
Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed revenge for the deaths of his relatives and other Iranians killed in recent strikes, saying Tehran will not back down from retaliatory actions. In his first public message since assuming office, Mojtaba said he lost his father, his wife, a sister and her child, as well as his other sister’s husband, in the air strikes that hit Iran late last month. He described the attacks as brutal crimes carried out by the United States and Israel and said they had deepened his resolve to pursue justice. The new leader also referred to a deadly strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran, which Iranian sources say killed around 160 to 170 schoolgirls on the first day of the war. He said Iran is “especially sensitive to the blood of our children” […]
Be the first to leave a comment