Royals celebrate Commonwealth Day in London as King Charles considers dumping Andrew from line of succession
The King has led the largest gathering of senior royals since Andrew Windsor-Mountbatten’s arrest as calls grow for his younger brother to be removed from the line of succession.
King Charles has led the largest gathering of senior royals since Andrew Windsor-Mountbatten’s arrest at a service at Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day.
The embattled royals were greeted by well‑wishers but there were also a vocal group of protesters across the road from the abbey.
A number of groups including anti-monarchy organisation Republic held up “What did you know?” placards with photos of Andrew hunched over a woman, referencing the Jeffrey Epstein scandal which led to the downfall of the King’s brother.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Around 50 activists from the Peter Tatchell Foundation and partner groups had also gathered to highlight how almost 30 Commonwealth countries still criminalise same-sex relationships.
Charles was reported to have discussed the issue of Andrew’s standing in the line of succession with Commonwealth leaders - with more than 50 Commonwealth leaders attending the events in London - amid calls for him to be removed from it.
Andrew is eighth in line to the throne and can only be removed via legislation being passed in the UK Parliament and the approval of the 14 Commonwealth realms, including Australia, where the King is the head of State.
In October Windsor Mountbatten was stripped of his status as prince over his close links with the late convicted sex offender Epstein.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney became the latest Commonwealth leader to call for Andrew to be dumped for his “deplorable” actions at the weekend.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in February to support the push to remove Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession.
NZ’s prime minister has also expressed support for Andrew’s removal.
Carney, a former governor of the Bank of England, said even though Mountbatten-Windsor is “well down” the line of succession, the “point of principle stands”.
Under the current line of royal succession, Charles’ son Prince William is heir to the throne and his three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – are next.
During the Westminster Abbey service former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner caught up with the King in the only way she knows how – with a kiss.
In a throwback to her days with the girl group, Halliwell-Horner planted a kiss on Charles’s cheek after she gave a passionate speech about female empowerment and hailed the Commonwealth as a “family of equals”.
She spoke at the annual service, which was attended by Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, senior Government figures and a 1,800-strong congregation.
In her “reflection” Halliwell-Horner highlighted how International Women’s Day fell on Sunday, one day ahead of Commonwealth Day events, and told invited guests: “As a young girl, it was creativity and education that gave me courage and confidence.
“Words allowed me to imagine a bigger world. Stories gave me courage and courage changes everything.
“When we educate a girl we’re not ticking a box, we’re investing in leadership, in stability, in possibility.
“And we know this to be true – when a woman succeeds, communities thrive. When communities thrive, nations grow stronger.”
She famously left red lipstick on Charles’ cheek when the Spice Girls met the then Prince of Wales at a Prince’s Trust event in 1997, and over the years she has kissed him when they have met.
There was also a kiss and a hug from Halliwell-Horner for Camilla, when the royal couple met some of those performing at the service afterwards.
Halliwell-Horner, an ambassador for the Royal Commonwealth Society, which held the service, and the King’s Trust, said in her speech: “The Commonwealth at its best is a family of equals, different, yes, but connected by shared values and a shared responsibility.
“It reminds us that standing together, standing together is not a weakness, it’s a strength. It is how we turn our hope into action.”
For decades, the service has been broadcast by the BBC but this year the corporation decided not to show the event, which “reflects the difficult choices we have to make in light of our funding challenges”, a spokesperson said.
Among the VIP guest list at a reception at St James’s Palace was West Indian cricket legend Sir Viv Richards, who handed the King a signed bat.
During the affectionate exchange the Queen referred to Sir Richards by his nickname as the “Master Blaster”.
“That’s what they used to call me,” he replied.
With PA
