THE Chief Minister has said he would “support in principle” the removal of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession – just as a petition has been launched calling for the removal of the former Prince’s name from a public site in Jersey.
But Deputy Lyndon Farnham also stressed that the calls to remove the former Duke of York from his position as a potential heir to the throne were “a matter for the UK Parliament”.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office – amid reports that during his time as the UK’s Special Representative for Trade and Investment he allegedly shared confidential government information with US financier Jeffrey Epstein. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing and has since been released while investigations continue.
Darren Jones, chief secretary to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, recently acknowledged “a high level of public interest in the news of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest” and “in what may follow”.
He said that the government was “not ruling out action in respect of the line of succession at this stage” and would “consider whether any further steps are required in due course”.
He added: “It is vital, however, that we first allow the police to carry out their investigations. I know they will have the full support of the government and, I am sure, this House as they do so.”
Any move to remove Mr Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession would also need to be supported by the 14 Commonwealth countries where King Charles III is Head of State, including Canada, Australia, Jamaica and New Zealand. Jersey is not included in that list, but could still signal support for any such move.
The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, is among the notable figures who have indicated support for any proposal to remove the former Duke of York from the line of succession – a matter that has been raised by UK MPs from different parties.
Deputy Farnham told the JEP that “given the circumstances I would support in principle the removal of Andrew from the line of succession”, but he stressed that “it is a matter for the UK parliament”.
He also noted that: “Our law provides that succession to the Crown in [respect] of Jersey is determined by the law of the United Kingdom.
“That is set out explicitly in the Succession to the Crown (Jersey) Law 2013.”
Deputy Farnham added: “If the UK Parliament makes changes to the line of succession, those changes apply equally in Jersey.
“Anyone who is removed from the line of succession under UK law would not become Sovereign in [respect] of Jersey.”
His comments come little more than a week after Ports of Jersey confirmed to the JEP that a plaque commemorating the opening of Elizabeth Marina by the former Duke of York in 1998 will not be altered unless a formal instruction to do so is issued by the Royal Household.
“… Action will only be taken after the outcome of the investigation is read and following formal instruction issued, if appropriate,” a spokesperson said.
However, Islander Peter Brookes has put forward an e-petition calling for action to be taken more swiftly.
“Although Ports of Jersey are waiting for instructions from the Royal Household on the matter, we believe as it is a States-owned company, the Government of Jersey should step in and request that Ports of Jersey actively seek permission to have ‘H.R.H. The Prince Andrew, Duke of York’ removed from the plaque,” the petition reads.
Petitions that reach 1,000 signatures receive a ministerial response, while those that gain 5,000 are considered for an in-committee debate by the States Assembly.
