King Charles is expected to bring up the potential removal of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession in a meeting with Commonwealth leaders today.
The 77-year-old monarch will participate in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey this afternoon, joining leaders from the 56 Commonwealth nations to commemorate their annual celebrations.
This event marks the largest gathering of the Royal Family since Andrew’s arrest last month, following accusations that he shared confidential information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
During the assembly, which will include 1,800 attendees comprising politicians and diplomats, Charles is set to deliver a speech emphasizing the significance of international cooperation amid various global challenges.
Privately, however, he is anticipated to discuss the possibility of removing Andrew from the succession line. Andrew, now under police investigation, has denied any misconduct.
At present, the 66-year-old stands eighth in line for the throne. His removal would necessitate legislative changes in the UK and the consent of the 14 other Commonwealth realms where the King serves as head of state.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney became the latest Commonwealth leader to call for Andrew’s removal after describing his actions as ‘deplorable’.
It followed interventions from the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand, who previously said they would support the UK Government in any such plans.
King Charles and the Queen at last year’s Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 10, 2025
Andrew (pictured) was arrested last month following allegations he shared classified information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein
It is understood that the UK Government will consider introducing legislation to remove Andrew from the line of succession once police have finished their investigation into the King’s disgraced brother.
Sources also told the Times that no decision has yet been made on whether Andrew’s daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, will also be removed.
Beatrice, 37, as the oldest of the two siblings, is ninth in line to the throne, followed by her two children and Eugenie, 35.
The pair were recently ‘blindsided’ by a decision to prevent them joining the rest of the Royal Family at Royal Ascot this year amid concerns about the unfolding scandal involving the House of York and their ties with Epstein.
Defence Secretary John Healey last month ordered a review of military files for any evidence that Epstein used RAF bases to traffic girls into the UK.
Mr Healey tasked officials with trawling through more than two decades of Ministry of Defence records and handing over to police any flight logs linked to the late paedophile financier.
Meanwhile, former prime minister Gordon Brown has written to six police forces demanding investigations into whether Andrew used jets, funded by the taxpayer, and RAF bases during his time as trade envoy to meet Epstein.
Andrew served as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 until 2011, when he stepped down amid controversy over his friendship with Epstein.
King Charles pictured with his brother Andrew during the funeral for the Duchess of Kent in September last year
Andrew was last pictured looking shell-shocked in the back of a Range Rover after spending around 11 hours in police custody
Elsewhere in his message today, the King will say it is when countries face ‘testing moments’, like ‘conflict, climate change and rapid transformation’, that the ‘enduring spirits’ of member-nations come to the fore.
Addressing the congregation of 1,800, made up with politicians and diplomats, he will say: ‘We join together on this Commonwealth Day at a time of great challenge and great possibility.
‘Across our world, communities and nations face the increasing pressures of conflict, climate change and rapid transformation.
‘Yet it is often in such testing moments that the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth is most clearly revealed.’
Directing his annual message to the 56 member-nations, Charles will continue: ‘Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good – grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that has a return on investment, enriched by culture, steadfast in its care for our planet, and united in friendship and in the service of its people.’
The message will also address climate change, with scientists dubbing 2025 the third warmest year on record, and it will raise concerns surrounding the growing presence of AI.
The King’s stance on climate change contradicts the approach taken by US President Donald Trump, who reversed a ruling that held up federal attempts to curb greenhouse gases.
This follows reports that Charles and Camilla will visit the US next month for a three-day visit to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
However the visit has faced recent criticism from senior government officials as tensions between Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer continue over the Iranian conflict.
King Charles visited the Royal Regiment of Artillery at Baker Barracks, Thorney Island, last month
Charles and Camilla will be joined at the event by Prince William, Kate, Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, who is an ambassador for the Royal Commonwealth Society that hosts the event, will also speak to the congregation, which includes Commonwealth high commissioners and members of the creative community.
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Oti Mabuse will also speak, while a poem will be read by the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate, Selina Tusitala Marsh.
The multi-faith service, which has been held since 1972, will showcase the diversity of the Commonwealth through a mixture of music, dance and readings – in line with the meeting’s theme of accelerating partnerships and investment for a prosperous Commonwealth.
This will include the world premiere of the Commonwealth Symphony, composed by Rekesh Chauhan, and performances by the Royal Ballet School and the Scottish ceilidh band, the Melodians Steel Orchestra.
The BBC will not broadcast the live television coverage of the service at 3pm for the first time in 37 years due to ‘funding challenges’ – a move branded ‘ridiculous and appalling’.
The Commonwealth event, hosted by its head, is to be held before the biennial meeting this year during the first week of November in the capital of Antigua and Barbuda, St John’s.
