The British government is actively considering legislation that would remove Prince Andrew from the royal line of succession, sources in Whitehall have confirmed.

The former Duke of York, currently eighth in line to the throne, has been a source of ongoing controversy following his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his 2022 civil settlement with Virginia Giuffre.

“The question of whether someone with this level of public controversy should remain eligible to become King is one that Parliament has a legitimate interest in addressing,” said a government spokesperson.

Constitutional experts note that removing a member of the royal family from the line of succession would require legislation — the Succession to the Crown Act — and could set a precedent for parliamentary involvement in royal family matters.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on what it described as “a matter for Parliament,” while opposition parties have expressed cautious support for exploring the proposal.