Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says New Zealand would support any actions to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, from the line of succession.
In a statement, a spokesman for Luxon said: “If the UK Government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it.
“The UK Government has said any proposals would come after the police investigation concludes.”
Speaking to media after his statement had been released, Luxon confirmed his Cabient Office had been in contact with the UK Cabinet Office over the last week regarding the succession issue.
“Obviously the investigation needs to close out before they would then pass legislation to remove him from the line of succession.
“The bottom line is no one’s above the law and once that investigation is closed, should the UK government decide they want to remove him from the line of succession, that’s something we would support.
Mountbatten-Windsor was detained early on Thursday (UKT) on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The former Prince was stripped of his titles late last year but remains eighth in line to the throne.
The UK Government is reportedly considering legislation to remove Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession. That would require agreement from Commonwealth nations, which would also need to pass legislation.
Earlier today, Australian PM Anthony Albanese wrote to his UK counterpart Sir Keir Starmer to confirm his Government would agree to any proposal to remove Mountbatten-Windsor.
“I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation.
“These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously.”
King Charles III, who has promised police the full support of Buckingham Palace, issued a rare personally signed statement soon after Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, insisting: “The law must take its course.”
Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, remains the eighth person in line to lead the monarchy.
He sits behind Prince William, William’s three children and Prince Harry and his two children.
On the Governor-General of New Zealand website, it lists the current line of succession, using the former Prince’s old title of the Duke of York.
Last week, a spokesman for Luxon said no advice or communication had been received regarding any change to succession.
In November, after it was announced Mountbatten-Windsor would be stripped of several titles and honours, Luxon told the Herald any change to the line of succession would be a “matter for the UK, obviously in consultation with Realm countries”.
“We’ll have a part to play in that but I haven’t sought specific advice from New Zealand on that ... We haven’t received any notification from the Palace or from the UK.”
Asked if he wanted to see Mountbatten-Windsor be removed from the line of succession, Luxon responded: “Those are decisions for the Palace. I support the King’s decisions and I’ll continue to support the Palace’s decisions”.
The Governor-General’s website points to the Royal Succession Act 2013, which lays out the law of succession and is replicated in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries.
The House would have to consider an amendment or new legislation if Mountbatten-Windsor was removed.
In 2015, then Justice Minister Amy Adams welcomed the implementation of the Royal Succession Act, which had made three specific changes:
While the act was passed in 2013 after changes were agreed in 2011, it didn’t take effect until two years later, to ensure legislation was co-ordinated with other countries.
“All Realms, including New Zealand, must have the same succession laws,” Adams said at the time.
“These changes help improve the rules of succession and reflect modern values such as gender equality, which is positive for New Zealand’s system of government.”
Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.