Royal Expert Demands Drastic Overhaul of Monarchy Succession Line
In a bold proposal that could reshape the British monarchy, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond has called for a radical reduction of the line of succession, advocating for the removal of Prince Harry, his children, and other non-working royals. This comes amid government consultations to potentially remove Prince Andrew from the succession following his arrest and ongoing police investigations.
Government Considers Removing Andrew from Succession
Sources indicate that the UK government is preparing to consult on formally removing Prince Andrew from the line of succession after multiple police investigations into allegations surrounding his conduct conclude. This monumental change would require agreement from all 14 Commonwealth realms, with Australia and New Zealand already publicly supporting the move.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressing his backing, stating, "These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously." New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's spokesperson similarly confirmed, "If the UK Government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it."
Jennie Bond's Proposal for a Slimmed-Down Succession
Jennie Bond believes that if Andrew's removal proceeds, the monarchy should go further by significantly cutting the succession line. She argues that the current extensive order has become "rather ridiculous" and impractical.
"Of course Andrew should be removed from the line of succession," Bond told the Mirror. "If you are not fit to be a prince, you're certainly not fit to be King. It would also remove him as counsellor of state, which is another absurdity at the moment."
Bond proposes reducing the line to just six members:
- Prince William and his three children
- Princess Anne (bumped up in order)
- Prince Edward
"Personally, I think they should also remove Harry and his children, plus Beatrice, Eugenie and their children from the line of succession," she said. "I think to have William and his children followed by Anne and Edward is more than enough. So I would propose a complete shake up of the succession order."
Harry's Position Under Scrutiny
Prince Harry, currently fifth in line to the throne behind Prince William and his children, faces particular scrutiny in Bond's proposal. She argues that since Harry has shown no interest in official royal duties and has described royal life as a "gilded cage" and "trap," he should be gently eased aside.
"It's pretty obvious that Harry doesn't want the job, so we should gently ease him to one side," Bond stated. "Six people in line to the throne is, I would contend, more than enough."
Bond also highlighted how few people recognize distant successors like Athena Mapelli Mozzi (11th in line) or Ernest Brooksbank (14th in line), emphasizing the impracticality of maintaining such an extensive succession order.
Working Royals Should Remain, Says Expert
Despite advocating for a slimmer succession line, Bond believes the number of working royals should not be reduced further. She points out that Princess Anne has emphasized how stretched the current slimmed-down monarchy already is, with many members in their 70s or older.
"I don't, however, think there's any need to further reduce the number of working Royals," Bond explained. "As Princess Anne herself has made clear, they are pretty stretched as it is. And with so many of the few that are left now in their 70s or older, there will be a further natural slimming down before George and his siblings are old enough to take on Royal duties."
Theoretical Nature of Extensive Succession Lines
Bond, who once made a television programme demonstrating how most people are related to royalty in some way, argues that extensive succession lines become "silly" in practice. "I once made a television programme which showed that, in essence, we are all related to royalty and therefore all in the line of succession. It becomes silly," she remarked.
The royal expert's proposal represents one of the most significant calls for monarchy reform in recent years, coming as governments across the Commonwealth consider unprecedented changes to royal succession rules.
