Prince Andrew arrest ‘not terminal’ for monarchy
A new analysis has argued that Prince Andrew’s arrest is unlikely to prove a fatal blow to the monarchy, despite intense scrutiny of the Royal Family and renewed calls from some commentators for more dramatic constitutional change.
Hello Magazine argued the case is, paradoxically, likely to reduce what can be reported as legal proceedings progress, pointing to the Contempt of Court Act and the tighter reporting restrictions that typically apply once active proceedings begin.
The article also noted that the alleged offence at the centre of the arrest, misconduct in public office, is not defined by statute and has long been criticised as difficult to prosecute, with the Law Commission previously recommending it be replaced. It added that while the reputational impact could be significant, constitutional expert Sir Vernon Bogdanor said the arrest “raises no constitutional issue”.
Separately, the piece suggested that Prince William’s public standing is not necessarily tied to his uncle’s, citing historic polling that showed the Prince of Wales’s ratings rose after the Duke of York’s 2019 BBC Newsnight interview. The Palace has continued to project continuity in public duties in recent days, including a focus on scheduled engagements as officials emphasised a “business as usual” approach after Andrew’s arrest.
While the UK may not be on the verge of a republican shift, the analysis flagged potential sensitivity across Commonwealth realms where the King is head of state, noting that any move affecting the line of succession would require wider agreement.
