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The British monarchy is not in a state of collapse, even though it is an expensive dynastic anachronism and an outdated symbol of privilege. But the unprecedented arrest for about 12 hours yesterday of the former Prince Andrew (also Duke of York) is Britain’s most serious constitutional upset for generations.

The arrest is a warning to his elder brother, King Charles, and the whole “Royal Family” that, while antics by the King’s son Prince Harry (now living in Los Angeles with his American actor wife) might shock and amuse, and while the King’s early adulterous life-style was tolerated and eventually forgiven, Andrew’s arrest for alleged “misconduct in public office” tied to the Jeffery Epstein sex scandals is a step too far.

The family clearly realises this and did its best yesterday to maintain its image as a secure and reliable institution that was still at work, performing public duties.

A few hours after the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he is now known having been stripped of his titles and privileges three months ago, the King was met with applause when he attended, as planned, the opening of London Fashion Week. His wife Queen Camilla met an internationally famous fashion editor and attended a concert in Westminster. Princess Anne, the hardest working “Royal” and Andrew and the King’s sister, ironically visited a prison in Leeds.

Andrew is no longer in a police cell, having been taken home last evening after detectives had finished searching the farmhouse on the family’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk where the King shifted him three months ago to remove him from public view. They also searched his previous home on the royal Windsor estate west of London. Andrew is known for his pomp and bluster, and it looks as though the police needed to secure him while the Sandringham search took place. He........

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