Andrew Allegedly Ready to Step Aside From the Line of Succession — But There's a Major Catch

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaves the funeral service of Patricia Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, at St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge on June 27, 2017, in London, England. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Mark Richards - WPA Pool)

Feb. 24 2026, Updated 01:47 AM. ET

As police officers flood the grounds of Royal Lodge and Wood Farm and legal pressure reaches a breaking point, sources suggest Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is ready to make his boldest move yet: voluntarily removing himself from the line of succession as a part of a strategic deal to avoid a prison sentence. Currently eighth in line to the throne, he has faced many reputational-shattering controversies, making his position a ‘constitutional headache’ for both the government and the Palace.

While the former Prince is reportedly ready to vacate his spot, as per royal expert Rob Shuter, he is certainly not leaving empty-handed, with a huge list of demands before he puts his foot down.

Prince Andrew attends the Sunday Service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Steve Parsons - WPA Pool) — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attends the Sunday Service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor. (Image Source: Getty Images | Steve Parsons - WPA Pool)

While Defense Minister Luke Pollard confirmed to the BBC that the government is ‘absolutely’ working on plans to stop the former Prince from “potentially being a heartbeat away from the throne,” Mountbatten-Windsor is allegedly trying to seize the narrative before Parliament forces his hand. On his Naughty But Nice Substack, Shuter quoted insiders who said the disgraced royal is trying to use his position as a bargaining chip. While a complex legislation would have to come into effect to remove him from the line of succession, the ex-Duke is offering a shortcut.

“The cleanest way to remove him would be for Andrew to renounce his position himself,” the insider told Shuter, adding, “Otherwise, it would require coordinated legislation across all 56 Commonwealth realms — a constitutional headache no one wants.” Interestingly, Australian PM Anthony Albanese recently announced that he would back the UK government’s plans to remove the former Prince from the line of succession, making it the first Commonwealth realm to support the move. With the international community beginning to close ranks, the pressure on the ex-Duke has shifted to a flashpoint.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor addresses the audience during a Pitch@Palace event at The Sharp Project. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Peter Byrne - WPA pool) — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor addresses the audience during a Pitch@Palace event at The Sharp Project. (Image Source: Getty Images | Peter Byrne - WPA pool)

For Palace watchers, however, his sudden openness to a shortcut sounds less like serving the Crown and more like a calculated play for self-preservation. As Thames Valley Police continue an intensive search of his 30-room Windsor residence, the reality of the investigation is sinking in. “He would sacrifice his place in a second if it keeps him out of a cell,” Shuter quoted an insider, noting, “Jail is the one outcome he cannot control.” But despite his alleged willingness to voluntarily remove himself, Mountbatten-Windsor isn’t planning to go quietly, and his reported terms for stepping aside are sweeping, aimed to maintain a royal lifestyle without the royal title.

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor at The Wimbledon Championships at Wimbledon, London, England. (Image Source: Getty Images | Karwai Tang/WireImage) — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at The Wimbledon Championships at Wimbledon, London, England. (Image Source: Getty Images | Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Another insider highlighted, “He wants security for life…A permanent grace-and-favor home, his horses settled at the new property, and written guarantees that his daughters keep their royal titles.” A third also suggested, “He’s negotiating comfort, not consequences…It’s slippery to the end.”

Shuter’s report comes as the government faces increasing pressure to act. Historian Olusoga told the BBC there is now a “desperate desire within government and within the Palace to draw a firewall… between this crisis and the wider monarchy.” For King Charles, the dilemma is deeply personal yet professionally urgent, with his reign hanging in the balance.