The Papers: ‘Arrest of Andrew’ and ‘Law must take its course’
There is one image of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor dominates the today’s front pages, marking the moment the former prince was arrested and released on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The Daily Express runs the picture of Mountbatten-Windsor slouched in the back of the car while leaving police custody at about 19:00 GMT on Thursday. The paper headlines on the King’s comment that “the law must take its course”. Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
The Guardian also leads with the same picture and the King’s comment about his brother. The front page also previews a editorial in the paper reflecting on challenges for the Royal Family going forward, remarking that the “old model – of discreet exile and silence – seems finished”.
“Downfall” is the one-worded headline on the front of the Daily Mail, next to a zoomed-in version of the Mountbatten-Windsor photograph. It describes the former prince as looking “haggard, shamed and haunted” as he was released from police custody.
The Daily Telegraph reports the former prince has become the first senior member of the Royal Family in modern history to have been arrested. “The magnitude of his fall from grace seemed etched on his face,” the paper says.
The Times has called the arrest of Andrew the “biggest crisis for the monarchy since the abdication”.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor “has nowhere to hide”, the Daily Mirror reports. A former royal protection chief Dai Davies called the moment “huge” and says that the situation “could affect the whole monarchy”.
“Now he’s sweating” is the headline of the Sun, a reference to the 2019 BBC Newsnight interview in which he claimed to be unable to sweat due to a medical condition.
The Metro’s headline also focuses on the response of King Charles to his brother’s arrest. The King is believed to have had no warning before the arrest, which happened on the former prince’s 66th birthday.
The i Paper reports that Thames Valley Police “carried out a morning raid at his temporary farmhouse residence on the Sandringham estate”.
The Daily Star also carries the zoomed in image of Mountbatten-Windsor “looking tired” leaving the Aylsham police station after “11 hours in police custody”.
And, the one paper not focused on the former prince, Financial Times features the latest developments from the US on Iran. President Donald Trump has set “a 10-day window to decide on Iran strikes” or make a deal, the paper reports. It says in recent days the US has bolstered its “huge military force deployed to the Middle East”.