King Charles has no choice: What forced him to keep Andrew in Line to throne

Andrew, who has been stripped of his titles by King Charles last year, remains on the succession list because changing it would require agreement across 15 realms, and that is not a simple palace decision.

The former prince remains eighth in the line of succession, behind Prince Harry and his children.

There is considerable public anger over his continued position. However, the constitutional process is slow and complexa as it requires coordinated legislative action across the Commonwealth.

 Unless governments on both sides of the Atlantic commit to months of legal work, he remains in place by default.

Following recent scandals and controversies, the practical likelihood of Andrew ever becoming king is now vanishingly small. Yet his place in the line of succession legally confirms that he is still there.

The monarch understands that the legal steps required to remove him are extensive — far more complicated than headlines suggest.

Andrew’s position has become even more difficult following renewed public anger after his release under investigation on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

A recent YouGov poll found that 82 percent of Britons want him removed from the succession, while only 6 percent believe he should remain.

Some experts argue it would be the honourable course for the former duke to step aside before Parliament is forced to act.

Under current rules, the succession passes through Prince William, 44, and his children, then Prince Harry, 41, and his children Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, before reaching Andrew.

If Andrew were ever removed, those behind him would not move up – the gap would simply close.

The line of succession still puts Harry ahead of Andrew, so if William’s son George were to ascend the throne while still a minor, Harry would be first in line to serve as regent.

If Harry could not do it, the next call would be to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and if he were unavailable, Princess Beatrice would follow.

 This is how Andrew could get a chance being in the line of succession.