Mountbatten-Windsor lost his royal titles over ties to Jeffrey Epstein, but remains eighth in line to the British throne
The UK is weighing a law to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession over the scandal linking him to Jeffrey Epstein, British media reported on Saturday, citing government and Buckingham Palace sources.
Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, was stripped of his royal titles, including that of prince, last year over his ties to Epstein. The scandal intensified after the US Department of Justice released the final tranche of Epstein files earlier this month, some of which implicate the former prince in sexual offenses and professional misconduct. However, he remains eighth in line to the throne and serves as a counsellor of state authorized to act for the King if he is ill or abroad.
Reports from The Guardian and BBC suggest that the government is considering legislation to remove Mountbatten-Windsor from succession entirely. Buckingham Palace has not publicly commented, but sources indicate that the family would not block the move, and King Charles earlier stated that he supports the ongoing investigation into his brother. However, reports say removing Mountbatten-Windsor would require a major constitutional process: Passing legislation in both houses of Parliament, securing royal assent, and gaining approval under the Statute of Westminster 1931 from the 14 Commonwealth realms, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The push to remove Mountbatten-Windsor intensified after his arrest this week on suspicion of “misconduct in public office” over claims he shared confidential government information with Epstein while UK trade envoy from 2001 to 2011, according to media reports. He was released the same day “under investigation” and denies any wrongdoing. Ministers, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reportedly plan to defer any formal succession action until the police probe concludes.
Investigators have not said whether sexual abuse or trafficking claims against the former prince will be pursued as part of the ongoing probe. The latest Epstein files include an anonymous tip alleging that Mountbatten-Windsor tortured a six-year-old and documents corroborating Virginia Giuffre’s claim that she was trafficked to him at 17. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025.
The Epstein files have sparked global scandals, resignations, and criminal probes, though a number of high-profile Western figures named deny any wrongdoing and have not been charged with any crimes. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova earlier accused Western officials of shielding Epstein associates. Kirill Dmitriev, an aide to President Vladimir Putin, called those who are implicated “satanic.”