The ramifications of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein escalated dramatically on Thursday, with the former prince arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The arrest, related to allegations that Andrew shared confidential material with Epstein, is an unprecedented nadir for the modern monarchy.
Here is how UK newspapers responded to the news.
“King says ‘law must take its course’ after Andrew arrest,” is the splash on the Guardian, featuring a photograph of a stunned Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaving Aylsham police station on the day he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
“The arrest of Andrew,” says the Times, summing up the dramatic development.
“Now he’s sweating,” quips the Sun, referencing a 2019 interview Andrew did with the BBC’s Newsnight in which he claimed he was not able to sweat due to a medical condition. Former prince Andrew, notes the paper, is the first royal to be held since Charles I in 1647.
“The law must take its course,” says the Daily Express, quoting a response from King Charles on the arrest of his brother on his 66th birthday.
“Taxi for Andy,” is the headline over at the Star, featuring the same photo of the former prince looking absolutely shellshocked in the backseat of a car as he is driven away from the police station after his arrest.
“King: my brother must face the law,” is the headline on the i paper on Thursday. King Charles, who said he had no advance warning of his brother’s arrest, issued a personal statement in support of British law enforcement.
“Downfall,” is the one word headline at the Daily Mail. The paper writes: “Looking haggard, shamed and haunted, Andrew is released from police custody 11 hours after his arrest plunged the modern monarchy into its gravest peril.”
As questions mount over what happens next, the National led its cover with a photograph of the late Queen, alongside then Prince Charles and Andrew beneath the probing headline: “What did they know?”.
Finally Scotland’s Daily Record with; “We can see you sneaking out.” And the Daily Telegraph (below) with the succinct splash: “Andrew arrested.”
