'Arrest of Andrew' and 'Law must take its course'

Reuters Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor ducks in the back seat of a car, red-eyed from a photograph flash, ducking down on a white-padded seat.Reuters

For today's papers, the photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor being driven away from a police station is on almost all the front pages. "Downfall" is the Daily Mail's headline, adding that the former prince looked "haggard, shamed and haunted". The Daily Telegraph says the "magnitude of his fall from grace seemed etched on his face". The Sun also focuses on his appearance, describing him as "stunned and wild-eyed". "Now he's sweating" is the paper's headline. Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Jeffrey Epstein. The Daily Mirror, the Daily Express, and the Guardian all quote the King's words over the image: "the law must take its course".

The Guardian describes what happened yesterday as "extraordinary", and says there could be "profound effects for the royal family". The Times says this is the first royal arrest in 350 years, and describes the monarchy as facing its "biggest crisis" since the abdication of Edward the Eighth in 1936.

The Telegraph reports that Buckingham Palace will ensure that the taxpayer doesn't foot the bill for Mountbatten-Windsor's legal bills. What is described as a "well placed source" tells the paper that if the former Duke of York is unable to pay for his own legal representation then the financial burden "will not fall on the public purse".

The King and Queen continuing with their royal duties, despite the increased public scrutiny, is noted by many of the papers. "King's show must go on" says the Mirror, alongside photographs of him attending London Fashion Week. The Mail, the Express and the i Paper all sum up with the headline: "Keeping calm and carrying on."

While many of the papers offer advice to the Royal Family, The Times says the "wider wall of royal secrecy" must now come down, arguing that if they want the spotlight to return to their "duty and service", as the King has indicated, then a change in culture is needed. The Guardian agrees, saying that what it calls the "old royal model of discreet exile and silence" is finished.

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