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By Jack Royston
Chief Royal Correspondent
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King Charles III is under pressure over Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein "to the extent that the king may have to stand down," historian Andrew Lownie told Newsweek.
Police arrested Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in a public office over allegations he shared confidential Government reports with Epstein while a U.K. trade envoy in 2010.
After almost 12 hours, Mountbatten-Windsor was released under investigation. He has always denied wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. No decision has yet been made on whether to charge Mountbatten-Windsor with any offense.
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Why It Matters
As the criminal investigation continues, questions remain about what the royals themselves, the palace staff and British Government knew about Andrew's conduct as a trade envoy.
What to Know
Andrew Lownie, author the biography Entitled, which charts Mountbatten-Windsor and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson's fall from grace, told Newsweek's The Royal Report podcast this was a moment of peril for Charles.
"I think the monarchy is at a point where, unless it basically cleans out the stables and has to take the hit, it may have to accept that certain very senior royals knew about things and covered them up, turned a blind eye, and to the extent that the king may have to stand down," he said.
"I think that they're in real trouble. I don't think William is compromised in any way by these revelations. I think Charles is. I think we may be getting to the point of Charles stepping down for health reasons."
Lownie clarified that he meant "health reasons" would be the official explanation but that the actual reason would be Andrew and Epstein.
Newsweek approached Buckingham Palace for comment.
Emails from the Epstein Files appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor discussing Sarah Ferguson's debts with his palace staff in the same email chains as trade reports that he sent on to Epstein in 2010. Epstein had at the time been convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor. Epstein did go on to pay off some of Ferguson's debts.
There is no suggestion in the emails that the staff knew he was forwarding the documents to Epstein.
The U.K. Ambassador Who Raised the Alarm
A former U.K. ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Patrick Nixon, raised concerns about Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct in November 2001, according to diplomatic cables leaked to The Mail on Sunday.
"I was particularly alarmed by some crass and offensive remarks about Saudi Arabia and its oil which he made to distinguished Emiratis," he wrote in an assessment of Mountbatten-Windsor's visit to the UAE in November 2001. The MoS did not say who the cable was sent to.
Nixon raised further concerns a year later in a letter to Sir Stephen Brown, then U.K. Trade and Industry chief executive, dated October 15, 2002, which the Mail reported was passed on to Michael Jay, then head of the diplomatic service at the U.K. Foreign Office.
In the letter, Nixon had been rude to a number of dignitaries including an Emirati royal, and noted: "The Duke has damaged rather than enhanced our standing and that of the Royal Family."
During the incident in question, Mountbatten-Windsor snubbed Shaikh Saif, a nephew of the ruler of Fujairah, an Emirate on the east coast, who had travelled for four hours to meet Andrew and then waited another hour at the reception to greet him, according to the Mail.
Escalating his concerns, Brown wrote to Jay to say: "I find it inexplicable that someone whose own life is governed by royal protocol does not appear to appreciate the harm he is doing."
Simon Collis, then British Consul-General in Dubai, reportedly had to apologize on Mountbatten-Windsor's behalf.
The account is striking because Mountbatten-Windsor continued in the role for around another ten years and it was toward the end of this period, in 2010, that he is accused of leaking trade reports to Epstein.
What People Are Saying
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright, of Thames Valley Police, said after Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest on February 19: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.
“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
King Charles III said in a statement on February 19: "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.
"In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.
"As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all."
Mountbatten-Windsor said in a statement on October 17: "In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded that the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.
"I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.
"With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."
What Happens Next
The Thames Valley Police investigation continues and no decision has yet been made on whether to charge Mountbatten-Windsor with an offense.
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