Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand would support if the UK government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession.
“If the UK government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it,” a spokesperson for Luxon said in a statement.
Calls to remove the former prince—currently eighth in line—from the order of succession followed his arrest last week for allegedly leaking secret documents to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Changes to the order of succession must be coordinated across all Commonwealth realms, including New Zealand.
A Saturday report indicated the British government was considering formally removing Andrew from the line of succession once the police investigation concludes.
The UK government’s Chief Secretary to the Treasury told the Associated Press that legislative changes to remove Mountbatten-Windsor were also under consideration: “The government is considering any further steps that might be required, and we’re not ruling anything out.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, confirming Australia would also back any proposal to remove the former prince from the royal line of succession.
“In light of recent events concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to confirm that my government would agree to any proposal to remove him from the line of royal succession.”
“I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation.”