The British government is considering removing former Prince Andrew from the line of succession to the crown after his arrest

The British government is considering officially removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession to the crown next to be arrested upon revelations in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

It would be a bold move that could preserve the dignity of the British royal family as it faces its biggest crisis in generations. It would be a blow to the former prince, who is still eighth in line to the throne despite losing his own status and his honor last year.

“If only they would stop treating it with kid gloves and treat it as a useful institution and doing a good and inexpensive job and all that, I think the monarchy could and should survive,” said David Dimbleby, author of “What is a King?”

In addition to legislative action from Parliament, removing Andrew from the succession list would require the agreement of 14 Commonwealth countries.

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday, held for 11 hours and released under investigation, meaning he has not been charged and released.

He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, not because of any charges involving his many well-documented encounters with young women connected to Epstein. Among the documents released by the US government are emails that show the monarchy may have shared confidential UK government information with Epstein about his travels to Southeast Asia, and investment opportunities in Afghanistan, in 2010-2011.

Andrew was an official trade representative for the British government at the time.

British police continue searching Andrew’s home as part of the investigation they have also started questioning his former security officers closely for information related to their inquiries.

After pledging to support a police investigation into his brother’s relationship with the late convicted sex offender Epstein, King Charles reiterated his intention to the British public.

“My family and I will continue our work and our service to all of you,” he said in a statement signed “Charles R.,” using an acronym for Rex, the Latin word for king.

The simple fact that Charles made this statement shows the magnitude of the problem. Andrew is the first senior member of the royal family to be imprisoned in nearly 400 years, when King Charles I was arrested and executed during the English Civil War.

Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied wrongdoing related to her longtime friendship with Epstein. If he is convicted of misconduct while in public office, he could face jail time.