The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office is the “worst possible thing” for the Crown, Sky News’ royal commentator has said.
The detention of the King’s brother is “about as critical” an event “as the institution could have to face”, Alastair Bruce said.
“For the King, it must be awful to face this… he is the person in whose name ultimately police constables do their work, and now his brother is a subject of a judicial process,” he explained.
“I think it must be ghastly for the King and for all members of the Royal Family to watch this take place.”
Andrew arrest latest: King says ‘law must take its course’
The former prince was arrested on his 66th birthday after footage showed unmarked police cars arriving at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where he has been living after leaving his previous home, Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest, which came after allegations made against the former duke following the release of millions of pages of files related to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The force previously said it was reviewing allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Epstein to have a sexual encounter with Andrew, as well as claims he shared sensitive information with the US sex offender while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
Andrew has always vigorously denied any allegations of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
Bruce said the only other time a sibling of a serving monarch had been arrested was when Elizabeth Tudor was detained in 1554 over her supposed involvement in the Wyatt plot – a rebellion that attempted to prevent her sister Queen Mary’s marriage to Philip of Spain.
“I think that gives you a sense of how distant it is to the concept of what monarchy is about and how it should serve,” he added.
“The nation is not expecting this kind of thing from someone who was once the son of a sovereign – and the brother of a sovereign.”
‘Arrogant’ Andrew facing ‘his worst nightmare’
Similarly, royal commentator Jennie Bond said Andrew’s arrest was “probably the worst nightmare for the palace and for the King”.
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Asked what the former duke’s response would be to the arrest, she said: “You would think he now is finding himself face to face with the reality of the fact that he is no longer in the privileged position he was in before.
“Yes, he is arrogant. Now he is being ordered, one assumes, to do whatever the police are saying he must do.
“It’s something he would never have experienced in his life, and it would be his worst nightmare as well, I think.”
