John Oliver addressed the recent arrest of former Prince Andrew on his HBO show, Last Week Tonight, highlighting the unusual nature of the charges against him. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and brother to King Charles III, was taken into custody in the U.K. on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was released after several hours, following an investigation linked to emails from the Epstein files released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Oliver began his segment by displaying a news clip that detailed Andrew’s arrest, which stemmed from “growing revelations” about his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This scrutiny has persisted for years, resulting in Andrew being stripped of his royal titles, including that of Duke of York. Oliver noted the irony in the media’s continued use of the term “alleged” when discussing Andrew’s relationship with Epstein, especially when they displayed a photo showing the two men in close proximity, seemingly engaged in conversation.
Oliver’s Take on the Arrest and its Implications
During the segment, Oliver quipped, “It’s true, they arrested former Prince Andrew, and I don’t know why they’re still going with ‘alleged’ connections to Epstein there.” He pointed out that the image of Andrew and Epstein looked like they were “brainstorming a new podcast,” humorously suggesting that their apparent camaraderie undermined the need for qualifiers regarding their relationship.
The details surrounding Andrew’s arrest revealed that it was linked to emails he forwarded to Epstein during his tenure as the U.K. trade envoy. Some of these emails dated back to 2010, notably occurring after Epstein’s conviction. Oliver remarked on the nature of the charges, expressing disappointment that the arrest was based on “boring computer crime.” He stated, “the method doesn’t matter. What’s important is, you have been stopped.”
After reiterating Andrew’s denial of any wrongdoing, Oliver showcased a widely circulated image of the former prince being released from custody, appearing visibly exhausted in the backseat of a car. He noted that the public could draw their own conclusions from the photograph, remarking, “Reasonable people can disagree on whether this makes him look guilty — or dead.”
Controversial Nicknames and Further Revelations
In a segment that highlighted Andrew’s controversial reputation, Oliver referenced a report from Australian 60 Minutes which included an anecdote about a former officer assigned to guard Andrew. The officer revealed that some staffers referred to Andrew by a derogatory nickname, raising eyebrows about the royal’s public image. “It’s a little weird he was so wary of saying that word on TV given he was appearing on Australia’s 60 Minutes,” Oliver commented, adding humorously, “I’m pretty sure Bluey’s said it at least three times.”
As the segment concluded, Oliver’s blend of humor and critical commentary underscored the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Andrew and the implications of his past associations. While the legal consequences remain uncertain, the public’s perception of the former prince continues to evolve amid these unfolding events.
