The Royal Tea

Kevin O’Sullivan speaks to royal editor Robert Jobson as the crisis around Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor deepens following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. After 11 hours in police custody, Jobson says the optics were disastrous and warns the scandal is far from over. “Nobody in their right mind would just hand over £12 million,” he says, reigniting questions over the controversial settlement paid to Virginia Giuffre and demanding clarity over who funded it.Jobson raises explosive questions about transparency at the top of the monarchy, arguing that “we have a right to know” where the money came from and why it was paid. He suggests that if investigators fail to put direct questions to the King, the public could see it as the same “antiquated deference” that has shielded the Royal Family in past crises. “Stop the whispering,” he insists, calling for facts to be put on the record rather than briefed anonymously.The Talk interview also examines the wider legal and constitutional stakes. With multiple police forces investigating Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein and alleged confidential disclosures during his time as UK trade envoy, Jobson says this is a defining moment. He urges the Palace to learn from past mistakes, warning that trust in the monarchy is “disintegrating right now” and calling for a more transparent, accountable institution to restore public confidence.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing.

Ian Collins speaks to former Old Bailey judge Wendy Joseph KC about the arrest and swift release of former prince Andrew on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Joseph explains the charge is rare and legally awkward because it is a common law offence, not set out in a clear statute, meaning prosecutors must piece together principles from past cases that may not neatly match what’s alleged here. Collins notes how unusual the situation feels, and Joseph dryly reminds him that royals have been arrested before — citing Charles I as the historical outlier.Collins asks what happens next, and Joseph suggests the royal has likely been released “under investigation” rather than on police bail. That means no bail conditions, but police can recall him for further interview at any time — a status introduced after public concern about suspects being left on bail for months or even years. They also touch on the idea that, aside from the reigning monarch’s legal immunity, there is no special treatment in procedure: everyone else goes through the same custody and interview process.They then consider what the apparent speed and drama of an early-morning arrest might indicate. Joseph says police could have requested a voluntary interview instead, so choosing arrest implies they believed they had “reasonable grounds” to suspect an offence — still far short of charge, let alone trial, but more than gossip. On speculation around material emerging from the US “Epstein files”, she cautions she hasn’t seen the specifics, though credible, attributable communications could trigger enquiries. She adds that any investigation may move slowly due to the scale of examining electronic devices and the unpredictable drip-feed of further US disclosures, before Collins signs off with a light joke about Joseph’s calm, reassuring manner.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing.

Ian Collins tackles what he calls the monarchy’s biggest crisis since the abdication after Prince Andrew is arrested at Sandringham and police continue searching Royal Lodge. Collins asks whether this is simply another royal scandal or the “beginning of the end” for the institution now Queen Elizabeth II is gone and King Charles is facing sustained reputational damage from Andrew, Harry and years of royal turmoil.Former Palace insider Dickie Arbiter puts the Andrew affair “on a plane” with the abdication for sheer constitutional and reputational jeopardy, but argues Charles is doing what he can while a police investigation is live. Arbiter insists the King cannot go further than carefully worded statements without risking accusations of interference, and says the monarchy has survived by evolving for centuries though it must modernise further and become more transparent.Historian and author Andrew Lownie brands the moment a “Me Too” reckoning for the Royal Family, warning that survival depends on full candour: what was known, when it was known, and who acted (or didn’t). Lownie frames the crisis as a potential turning point that could define Charles’s reign either as proof the monarchy is accountable under the law, or as evidence of an establishment that protected “bad apples” until forced to act.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing.

Mark Dolan speaks to royal biographer Angela Levin about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, his long-standing arrogance, the “curse of the spare,” and what the scandal means for King Charles and Prince William.Mark Dolan is joined by royal biographer Angela Levin to examine the shock arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the personal and constitutional fallout. Levin describes the early-morning police visit as a “very, very bad shock” and argues the public humiliation marks a dramatic reversal for a figure she says carried a lifelong sense of superiority and entitlement.The discussion focuses on Andrew’s character, with Levin linking his behaviour to the so-called “curse of the spare” and claiming he had long harboured ambitions for the throne. She argues his status as a favoured son fostered arrogance that shaped later decisions and poor judgment, now contributing to reputational damage for the wider royal family.The conversation then turns to the implications for King Charles’ health, Prince William’s future role, and whether the scandal accelerates pressure for generational change. Levin suggests William has never been close to his uncle and may ultimately play a decisive role in distancing the monarchy, while the immediate priority remains managing the institutional impact of the crisis.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing.

Mark Dolan is joined by Isabel Oakeshott to analyse the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office, with a focus on the legal and reputational consequences rather than the spectacle. Oakeshott warns the Crown Prosecution Service faces a “painstaking and very long winded process” to determine whether there is a realistic prospect of conviction, noting the offence is “notoriously difficult to prosecute” and any decision will be heavily scrutinised whichever way it falls.The discussion turns to Andrew’s long-standing issues of judgment, his associations with controversial figures, and whether the damage now extends beyond one individual to the institution itself. Oakeshott argues the scandal risks spreading to the wider royal brand, not because of direct wrongdoing by others, but because of questions over whether stronger intervention should have come earlier.The episode also explores the political and constitutional stakes, including public perception of fairness, the challenge of empanelling an impartial jury in a high-profile case, and the possibility of further disclosures about Andrew’s business relationships. The conversation concludes with the implications for King Charles, with Oakeshott suggesting the monarch is unlikely to fall but acknowledging the crisis will define the early years of his reign.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing.

Talk Breakfast host Mark Dolan opens a dramatic morning after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and later released under investigation, a development dominating front pages and reigniting the crisis around Andrew’s past links to Jeffrey Epstein. Dolan frames the central question for listeners: is Andrew’s return home a temporary reprieve, or the start of a legal process that could end in a prosecution with profound consequences for the royal family?In studio, former newspaper editor Neil Wallis describes the arrest as a rare, true “stop-the-presses” moment, while Talk’s royal correspondent Rupert Bell says the speed and intensity of the police action has shocked even those who felt it was “inevitable.” The discussion turns to the Palace response, King Charles’ message that “the law must take its course”, and whether the monarchy can contain the scandal to Andrew alone, or whether it risks contaminating the institution if the public senses anything less than full cooperation.Joining from the US, royal commentator Kinsey Schofield argues investigators may have moved fast to secure evidence, particularly with Andrew “moving from one place to another,” and suggests the focus, at this stage, is the alleged sharing of confidential information in a government capacity rather than wider historic claims. The panel then debates whether Andrew should be removed from the line of succession to “tidy it up,” and what further steps, if any, Charles should take while an active investigation is ongoing.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing.Prince Andrew arrested, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, misconduct in public office, Epstein files, King Charles statement, “law must take its course”, royal family crisis, monarchy, line of succession, royal scandal, Sandringham arrest, released under investigation, police probe, public office offence, UK constitutional implications