King Charles could face abdication pressure after Andrew Mountbatten Windsor arrest

It comes after disgraced Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office this morning

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Royal biographer and historian Andrew Lownie has warned that King Charles III could come under serious pressure to abdicate if further damaging information emerges in the investigation involving the former Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The disgraced former royal was arrested this morning (February 19) on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Thames Valley Police has confirmed.

Speaking on TalkTV this week, Lownie told host Mark Dolan that the King must take a “very clear” and decisive approach as scrutiny surrounding the issue continues. During the live broadcast, Lownie stressed that the monarch has a responsibility to ensure full cooperation with any police inquiries.

He said: “I do think that King Charles needs to be very clear that he will cooperate and allow his staff to give statements to the police and provide all the internal correspondence, all the complaints that were made about Andrew, all the material the police need to mount a proper investigation.”

Lownie’s comments came as Dolan pressed him on the potential consequences for the monarchy if further evidence were to surface, the Express reports. The presenter asked: “If Andrew is not prosecuted but further evidence of a royal cover-up at the palace emerged, what is the threat to the monarchy under those circumstances?”

In response Lownie suggested the situation could quickly escalate into a constitutional crisis. He replied: “Well I think it’s very serious. I think then people will be calling for a clean sweep.”

He went on to draw a distinction between senior royals, adding: “I don’t think William is in any way implicated in this scandal and I think there will be growing calls for the King to step down.”

Lownie spoke to Mark Dolan on TalkTV

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Lownie spoke to Mark Dolan on TalkTV(Image: TalkTV)

The royal biographer’s comments suggest that while the Prince of Wales could remain insulated from the controversy, the monarch himself may face increasing pressure if the situation escalates. And now with Andrew having been arrested all eye will be on the King.

Viewers were divided in the comment section, with the debate continuing to rage in the comments section as people voice their different opinions on the issue.

One user warned that any suggestion of wrongdoing could have far-reaching consequences, writing: “A cover up will see growing calls for the abolition of monarchy. William was involved in the cover up. Are royal fans now going to demand that George is put on the throne?”

The disgraced Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was arrested on February 19

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The disgraced Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was arrested on February 19(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

“Didn’t this happen when KC was the Prince of Wales and the monarchy was under QEII? Why should Charles take the blame?” another questioned.

While others argued that calls for abdication were unrealistic. One comment read: “There is no cover up. Leave the dutiful innocent king along. Vultures.”

While another else added: “The King will be the King until he stops breathing. William would want that and it’s not like this forever.”