Anthony Albanese joins calls to cut Andrew from the line of succession

Anthony Albanese is backing a push to remove disgraced former prince Andrew from the line of royal succession, writing to his British counterpart to say Australians are concerned at the “grave allegations” against the eighth in line to the throne.

The UK Government, led by Sir Keir Starmer, is already considering introducing legislation to prevent Mr Mountbatten-Windsor from ever becoming king, as a police investigation into his conduct continues.

“In light of recent events concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to confirm that my Government would agree to any proposal to remove him from the line of royal succession,” Mr Albanese wrote to Sir Keir.

“I agree with His Majesty the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation. These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously.”

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who is eighth in line to the throne, was stripped of his prince title last year over his relationship with child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and was questioned by police last week after the release of millions of files connected to the US financier.

He was arrested on suspicion of public misconduct, relating to his role as a UK trade envoy, after those files showed he forwarded sensitive information on to Epstein.

The pair had remained friends even after Epstein was convicted of procuring a child for prostitution.

As outrage mounts in the UK over the former prince’s dealings, his nephew William conceded on Sunday he was “not in a calm state” as he made his first public appearance since the bombshell arrest.

The next in line to the throne, Prince William walked the red carpet at the British Academy Film Awards in London with wife Princess Catherine.

Stopped by reporters as they headed in to the event William, who alongside Catherine has long distanced himself from his uncle, was asked if he had seen Hamnet — which went on to claim Best British Film at the awards ceremony.

“I need to be in quite a calm state, and I am not at the moment,” he said.