Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s shell-shocked, disbelieving, haunted face will become part of how his arrest will be remembered.
It’s not a particularly edifying scene. Andrew slumped in the back seat of the car after his release, fingers raised, whether in prayer or protection.
His collar is up. For this, his collar is felt. What was Andrew’s shock when he was mugged in police custody?
It will become the equivalent of that other famous Andrew picture, taken almost 25 years ago, of the smiling, confident prince next to 17-year-old Virginia Guiffre in a London townhouse, when the capital was his playground.
The photo of Andrew and Virginia Giuffre was taken about 25 years ago [US Department of Justice]
Earlier, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor became the first senior member of the royal family in modern history to be arrested. It was another moment to catch your breath.
This was done after the unprecedented statement of his brother King Charles. “Let me be clear: the law must take its course,” read the king’s unequivocal statement, offering no hiding place or royal get-out clause.
The arrest, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, relates to Andrew’s time as UK trade representative between 2001 and 2011. It follows a series of allegations that Andrew shared official documents after the Epstein files were released.
That included sharing reports on business trips and secret briefings about investments with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Afghanistan, and giving Treasury briefings to personal business contacts.
Being a member of the royal family makes no legal difference to how his case is assessed.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein.
Thursday morning’s no-nonsense police statement was a news shocker in one clear word: “The man remains in police custody at this time.”
Who would have thought that we would read that sentence when the person in question is in the line of succession to the throne, and in theory, if not in practice, remains a counselor of state?
Andrew’s explanation of his behavior would not be in a TV interview. The public has not forgotten the BBC’s Newsnight interview, which was the last time Andrew spoke publicly about his relationship with Epstein.
This time, it’s in the presence of a lawyer and investigating officers rather than under the TV lights, and the consequences for any untruths will be far more severe.
The police action on a wintry morning in Norfolk was remarkable breaking news – and it seems to have shocked the King as much as anyone.
But the story of Andrew’s relationship with Epstein has been around for decades — and so has Andrew’s downfall, first turning into an avalanche of scandals before his reputation slipped.
The relationship with Epstein meant Andrew lost his role as business ambassador in 2011, and in 2019 he was removed as a working royal after that disastrous Newsnight interview.
In 2022, his withdrawal from public life became more complete after a plea deal with his accuser, Virginia Giffrey.
And in October last year, emails revealed that while Andrew claimed he had not ended his relationship with Epstein, he stripped him of his titles of prince and duke, and finally moved out of his Royal Lodge home in Windsor.
They were strict restrictions, removing any vestige of imperial status.
The Palace have had some nervous moments in recent times, with questions from hecklers suggesting they could protect Andrew.
The King’s statement sought to draw a line under this and separate the Royal Family from whatever might happen to Andrew.
Another important factor in all this is the public mood. The Epstein files, and what they reveal about a network of those apparently highly connected but low on ethics, have angered people at such unaccountable power and wealth.
It felt insulting to the public, that the rich and influential seemed to be immune to the consequences of their behavior, whether it was in terms of sex or money. Corruption seems to pay the people.
What made the arrest even more resonant was that it happened on Andrew’s 66th birthday. Any candle should wait.
The Epstein files contain references to Andrew’s previous birthdays, such as a glitzy bash for his 50th at St James’s Palace.
One person who declined an invitation that night of “mysterious mischief” was Jeffrey Epstein, who was still under house arrest as part of his sentence for procuring a minor for prostitution.
Andrew celebrated his birthday 12 months ago as Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Knight of the Garter. Who knows what will change on his next birthday.
