Prince Andrew line of succession has been a subject of renewed interest following the many changes in the British royal family over the past few years. As the monarchy continues to evolve under King Charles III, questions surrounding Andrew’s current position and his role in the royal hierarchy have become increasingly relevant. With new generations stepping forward, his place has shifted significantly, but he remains part of the official line.
Prince Andrew’s Position in the Royal Family
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Born on February 19, 1960, he was once much closer to the throne. At the time of his birth, he was second in the line of succession, following his older brother, now King Charles III.
Over time, as Charles had children and then grandchildren, Andrew’s position has been pushed further down the list. Despite the controversies surrounding him in recent years, Andrew has not been legally removed from the line of succession. This is because succession to the British throne is determined by descent, legitimacy, religion, and common law, not by popularity or public perception.
Current Line of Succession
The line of succession underwent notable adjustments after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 and the accession of King Charles III. It now reflects a new era for the monarchy, with Prince William and his children directly next in line.
Here is a simplified breakdown of the top positions in the line of succession as of 2025:
- Prince William, Prince of Wales
- Prince George of Wales
- Princess Charlotte of Wales
- Prince Louis of Wales
- Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
- Prince Archie of Sussex
- Princess Lilibet of Sussex
Prince Andrew currently holds the ninth position in the line of succession. He follows his elder brother’s descendants and his younger brother, Prince Edward, and their children. This shift represents how the monarchy has modernized and prioritized the direct line from the current monarch.
Why Prince Andrew’s Position Has Shifted
The movement of Prince Andrew’s position is due mainly to the birth of his nephews and nieces and their children. Succession rules, reformed by the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, allow for gender-neutral primogeniture for those born after October 28, 2011. This means Princess Charlotte does not lose her place to her younger brother, Prince Louis, a significant change from traditional male-preference primogeniture.
As each new royal child is born, Andrew is moved one step lower. This natural progression has happened steadily over the past decade, reflecting the growth of the younger generation of royals.
The Duke of York’s Role After Stepping Back
Prince Andrew stepped back from public royal duties in 2019 following his association with Jeffrey Epstein and the legal challenges that followed. In 2022, he lost his military affiliations and royal patronages. Despite these setbacks, he has maintained his title as Duke of York and remains a member of the royal family.
However, he no longer plays any active public role on behalf of the monarchy. His official website page has been archived, and his appearances at royal events are limited to family occasions such as funerals and private gatherings.
Impact of Prince Andrew’s Position on the Monarchy
While his position in the line of succession remains intact, his diminished public role means he has no influence on the monarchy’s day-to-day functions. Even if, theoretically, the line of succession brought him closer to the throne, Parliament could intervene to prevent him from assuming any constitutional role.
The British monarchy operates under a constitutional framework, which means that practical governance involves Parliament and the Prime Minister. If extraordinary circumstances arose, the Regency Acts and other legal mechanisms could allow another senior royal to act as regent instead.
Public Opinion and Royal Reputation
Public sentiment towards Prince Andrew has changed dramatically since the late 2010s. Once a popular royal known for his military career and charity work, he became one of the most controversial figures in the monarchy. Surveys and opinion polls in the UK show consistently low levels of public support for his return to any official duties.
This sentiment has indirectly impacted how people view the line of succession. While Andrew remains ninth, few expect him to have any future role beyond that of a private family member.
Potential Future Changes to the Line
Although there are currently no signs of formal changes, the British monarchy has shown flexibility in adapting to modern expectations. Some royal commentators have speculated that, over time, the active royal family may continue to “slim down,” focusing on the monarch’s direct heirs.
This shift does not require legally removing individuals like Andrew from the line of succession. Instead, it involves adjusting public roles and responsibilities, as already seen with Andrew’s situation. His presence in the line remains a matter of hereditary law, but his practical influence is effectively nil.
Andrew’s Children and Their Positions
Prince Andrew has two daughters with Sarah, Duchess of York: Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
- Princess Beatrice is currently 10th in line to the throne.
- Princess Eugenie follows as 11th.
Both women have built lives largely outside the core royal structure. Beatrice works in the business sector and is married to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, while Eugenie has focused on charity work and art-related projects. Their places in the line of succession remain symbolic rather than politically or constitutionally significant.
Why the Line of Succession Matters
The line of succession is not just a ceremonial list. It determines who will inherit the throne in the event of abdication, death, or incapacity of a monarch. It also shapes royal protocol, precedence at state events, and the allocation of titles.
Even though Andrew is unlikely ever to reign, his place is part of the legal and historical continuity of the monarchy. It reflects centuries-old traditions that continue to evolve with modern society.
Conclusion
Prince Andrew’s line of succession status shows how the British monarchy blends tradition with change. While he remains ninth in line by birthright, his public role has effectively vanished, and the monarchy’s future lies with the next generations. His story illustrates how succession is determined by law, not public opinion, even as the institution adapts to a new era.
The royal family’s succession list will continue to evolve as new members are born and public roles shift. Andrew’s position is secure in law but diminished in influence, a reflection of both history and modernity.