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

Kevin O’Sullivan speaks to royal biographer Andrew Lownie after the dramatic arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Lownie, whose book Entitled: The Decline and Fall of the House of York helped expose alleged corruption at the heart of the York household, says he is “thrilled the police have acted as swiftly as they have” and admits he feared the former prince might “do a runner” before facing justice. While stressing there have been no charges and Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has denied any wrongdoing, Lownie describes the move as a watershed moment for royal accountability.He argues the arrest may “lance the boil” for the monarchy, restoring public faith that “the royals are not above the law,” but warns the implications could stretch far beyond one man. Lownie claims the King “knew far more than he’s saying” about past attempts to contain the scandal, and insists officials, aides and former trade envoys should now be questioned. “I approached 3,000 people,” he reveals, many of whom refused to speak, adding he is willing to hand material not yet in the public domain to investigators.Calling this a potential “Me Too moment of the monarchy,” Lownie says the institution must embrace transparency on finances, archives and oversight if it is to retain public trust. As police examine allegations linked to Jeffrey Epstein, trade missions and confidential disclosures, he warns this could become “far more important than the abdication” in terms of modern royal crisis. Whether the arrest satisfies public anger or opens deeper questions about who knew what and when, Lownie says, will define the future of the Crown.

Kevin O’Sullivan speaks to retired Met detective Mike Neville as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, in a dramatic escalation of the Epstein-linked investigation. Neville explains the reality of the early-morning raid, describing how senior detectives would have moved in front and back, cautioned him immediately and seized digital devices. In sensitive cases like this, he says, everything would likely be recorded to prevent any dispute over what was found or said.Neville calls the scale of the inquiry “enormous” and warns this is not a short-term operation. With multiple police forces examining evidence linked to Jeffrey Epstein, historic trade envoy trips and alleged confidential disclosures, he says coordination is critical. “Somebody’s got to take account for this,” Neville adds, raising questions about what protection officers, senior commanders and officials may have known at the time.He also delivers a blunt assessment of the arrest itself, arguing that police are often criticised for targeting “the plebs and not the real villain”, but that this development shows investigators have now “got a grip of this”. As forensic teams sift through phones, emails and tablets, Neville predicts weeks, if not months, of digital analysis.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing.

Samara Gill delivers a blistering analysis of the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the extraordinary prospect that he could face life imprisonment if charged and convicted of misconduct in public office. She argues this is not another palace embarrassment but a constitutional earthquake, with a senior royal arrested on suspicion of sharing confidential government information during his time as UK trade envoy. Gill explains how the newly surfaced Epstein-linked emails shift the focus from historic sexual allegations to potential national security breaches, a development she says takes the scandal “into a different realm entirely”.Breaking down the legal jeopardy, Gill outlines how misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life in prison in the most serious cases. She explores the allegation that sensitive briefings linked to official trips to China, Vietnam and Afghanistan may have been shared with Jeffrey Epstein, raising profound questions about privilege, responsibility and whether royal status created a culture of impunity. Andrew denies wrongdoing and has not been charged.