Royal Succession Remains Unaffected by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's Arrest
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, marking the first arrest of a senior royal in modern times. The investigation follows the release of millions of pages of files related to convicted child sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein, with allegations that the former prince shared sensitive information while serving as the UK's trade envoy.
Despite this development, the line of succession to the British throne remains unchanged. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who was forced to relinquish his prince and Duke of York titles last year, continues to deny any wrongdoing. His arrest does not immediately impact his position as eighth in line to the throne, as removing someone from succession requires new legislation—a process last used in 1936 with the Declaration of Abdication Act following King Edward VIII's abdication.
Political Calls for Change
Both Labour MP Rachael Maskell and Conservative MP Chris Philp have publicly stated that the former Duke of York should no longer be eligible for the throne. However, with a new generation of royals now prominent, the succession list includes many individuals who may be unfamiliar to the general public.
Here is the complete line of succession to the British throne, detailing everyone from Prince William to more distant relatives.
The Direct Line of Succession
King Charles III ascended to the throne in September 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and was crowned in May 2023.
Prince William, Prince of Wales, aged 43, is first in line. Formerly the Duke of Cambridge, he became Prince of Wales after the Queen's death. When he becomes king, his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, will be known as Queen Consort.
Prince George, the 12-year-old first son of Prince William and Princess Kate, is second in line. He will be known as King George VII upon accession, though his parents aim to provide him with as normal an upbringing as possible.
Princess Charlotte, aged 10, is third in line following the 2013 amendment to the Succession to the Crown Act, which ensures the eldest child succeeds regardless of gender. Previously, her younger brother would have preceded her simply because he is male.
Prince Louis, the seven-year-old third child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, is currently fourth in line.
The Sussex Branch
Prince Harry, 41, the second child of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, is fifth in line. His wife, Meghan Markle, is not in the line of succession, but their two children are.
Prince Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, aged six, is sixth in line, followed by his four-year-old sister, Princess Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, in seventh place. Lilibet's name honors the late Queen Elizabeth II, while her middle name, Diana, pays tribute to Harry's mother.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and His Descendants
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the controversial 66-year-old third child of Queen Elizabeth II, remains eighth in line despite relinquishing his Duke of York title in October and being stripped of his prince title and HRH style in November 2025. His two daughters with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson are also in the succession.
Princess Beatrice of York, 37, is ninth in line. Her four-year-old daughter, Miss Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, is tenth.
Princess Eugenie of York, 35, is eleventh in line. Her five-year-old son, Master August Brooksbank, is twelfth, followed by his younger brother, Master Ernest Brooksbank (born May 2023), in thirteenth place.
The Extended Royal Family
Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, aged 61, is fourteenth in line. His youngest son, James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex, 18, is fifteenth, followed by his older sister, The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, 22, in sixteenth place.
The Princess Royal, also known as Princess Anne, 75, is seventeenth in line. Her eldest son, Mr Peter Phillips, 48, is eighteenth, followed by his daughters: Miss Savannah Phillips, 15 (nineteenth), and Miss Isla Phillips, 13 (twentieth).
Zara Tindall, 44, the Queen's eldest grandchild, concludes this list as twenty-first in line to the throne.
The British monarchy's succession rules, established over centuries, continue to govern the line of throne heirs, with legislative change required for any alteration to the current order.
