King Charles and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attend the Duchess of Kent’s funeral; (Inset) Emily Maitlis at the Ham Yard Hotel. Cover Image Source: Getty Images| Max Mumby/Indigo; (Inset) Eamonn M. McCormack

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s February 19 arrest dealt a fresh blow to the monarchy’s already tarnished image, forcing King Charles to address yet another crisis. Two hours later, the monarch issued a statement expressing his ‘deepest concern’ over the news and his brother’s misconduct in public office, while affirming his full faith in the law. Yet Newsnight interviewer Emily Maitlis was left confused, asking whether the King’s concern was for his disgraced brother or the ex-Prince’s many victims in the Epstein scandal.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and King Charles attend the funeral of Patricia Knatchbull. (Image Source: Getty Images| Max Mumby/Indigo)

As reported by the Daily Express, Maitlis, who interviewed Mountbatten-Windsor in 2019 for BBC Newsnight, told The News Agents, “It’s really interesting because I kept on going back to those words, the deepest concern. And if I was opposite him now, I’d say, ‘Wait, what is that concern? Who is that concern for? Are you concerned about your own brother’s mental health at this point?’ This perhaps implies: are you concerned that it has happened without his knowledge?” She explained that even though Charles did not know about the arrest beforehand, the two-word phrase was ‘curious’ to her because she could not comprehend its vague nature.

Then-Prince Andrew in a 2019 BBC ‘Newsnight’ interview, conducted by Emily Maitlis. (Image Source: YouTube| BBC News)

Doubling down on her confusion, she stressed, “It doesn’t sound as if that’s what he [Charles] means because he’s saying he wants the full and fair force of the law. Are you concerned about other potential victims in this?” She continued, “I think it is important to your point exactly that the King is talking as a monarch of the country about an arrest he was not pre-warned about. He’s not speaking as if it was the guy that he basically cast adrift last October.” Maitlis, a highly acclaimed correspondent, was the first to boldly press Mountbatten-Windsor on his links to Jeffrey Epstein. Their exchange became a turning point in the royal scandal, increasing scrutiny over the former Prince’s controversial actions and his lack of accountability.

A statement from King Charles in response to the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. (Image Source: Getty Images| Gareth Cattermole)

Shortly after Mountbatten-Windsor’s detention at Wood Farm, Buckingham Palace released a statement from Charles, which read, “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair, and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities,” reasserting his cooperation and trust in the law. He also added that it would not be right to make any further comment on the issue, “Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”

A royal source had also confirmed that Buckingham Palace was not informed about the arrest, according to CNN. While the exact nature of the investigation hasn’t been made clear, Mountbatten-Windsor was alleged to have shared confidential government information with Epstein during his tenure as UK trade envoy. He was let go from the Aylsham Police Station after 11 hours of questioning on his 66th birthday. If convicted of the crime, he could face a lifetime sentence.