Has a British Royal Ever Been Arrested Before Prince Andrew?
Has a British Royal ever been arrested before the former Prince Andrew was taken into custody?
Andrew, of course, is no longer technically a Royal because his brother, King Charles III, previously stripped him of his title and royal status. However, as the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, his arrest on February 19 was historically a watershed moment.
According to CNN, Andrew "becomes first senior British royal to be arrested in centuries" and "the first senior British royal in modern history to be arrested." He is under investigation for misconduct in public office due to emails connecting him to Jeffrey Epstein.
How Unusual is the Arrest of the Former Prince Andrew? Very
According to CNN, Princess Anne, Andrew’s sister, "had a brush with the law in 2002 when she was prosecuted and fined after her dog attacked two children. But she was not arrested over the offense."
But Andrew's alleged offenses could carry a life sentence in prison, if he were to be charged and convicted.
In fact, CNN reported, "You have to go back to the 17th Century and the execution of King Charles I to find the last time a senior royal was arrested."
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What happened to Charles I? "The trial of Charles I was one of the most momentous events ever to have taken place in Westminster Hall. Kings have been deposed and murdered, but never before had one been tried and condemned to death whilst still King," the UK Parliament's website explains.
"Following the end of the Civil War Charles I was brought to trial in Westminster Hall on 20 January 1649. The Serjeant at Arms rode into the Hall carrying the mace and accompanied by six trumpeters on horseback. The King's trial was proclaimed to the sound of trumpets and drums, at the south end of the Hall."
What did Charles I do? "The King appeared before his judges four times, charged with tyranny and treason. The exchanges always took a similar form with the King challenging the court's authority and its right to try him," Parliament wrote.
"Seven years of fighting between Charles’ supporters and Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarians claimed the lives of thousands, and ultimately, of the King himself. Charles was convicted of treason and executed on 30 January 1649 outside the Banqueting House in Whitehall," Historic Royal Palaces wrote.
Other Royals Have Had Brushes With the Law or Been Imprisoned, But Mostly in Ancient Times
In ancient times, other royals were arrested and even executed, most notably the wives of King Henry VIII.
King Richard I was "captured and imprisoned by Duke Leopold, whom Richard had insulted while on Crusade. After a ransom was paid he returned to England to find his brother John plotting to usurp the throne."
According to The Times, other Royals have faced driving offenses. Princess Anne's daughter Zara "was banned from driving for six months when she was caught speeding at 91mph in 2020."
The late Prince Phillip "was forced to hand in his driving licence aged 97 when his Land Rover Freelander landed on its side after a crash with a Kia in Sandringham in 2019," but he wasn't prosecuted, The Times reported.
The Times also noted, "Mary, Queen of Scots, was held in prison for 19 years between 1568 and 1587 in various English castles after fleeing Scotland following her forced abdication."
In Spain, the Supreme Court dismissed tax fraud accusations against then-king Juan Carlos.