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AIBU?

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Original poster

What if it had been Charles?

211 replies

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 19/02/2026 17:41

The PM said this morning that nobody is above the law, but is that actually true?

If it had actually been the monarch who was suspected of committing the crimes that Andrew is accused of, rather than his brother, am I right in thinking that, as things stand, there would be no provision under our existing constitution to deal with this? The police and the courts are agents of the crown, so presumably they couldn't act against the monarch?

So what would actually happen in that situation if the rest of the royal family couldn't persuade the monarch to abdicate. Would we have to have a revolution?

ETA Sorry, forgot to add my AIBU. AIBU to think that it isn't quite accurate to say that nobody is above the law.

OP posts:
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Needspaceforlego · 21/02/2026 17:22

NotVWoolf · 21/02/2026 08:21

Regardless of the monarchy, I think it’s about time the court system changed to ‘The People vs whoever’ and the name changed from Crown Court to People’s Court, and People’s Court of Justice etc. Any crime is against the people of this country.

The Monarch is essentially the Figure head of the People.

Although I did laugh at the thought of AMW being held at His Majesty's Plesure in HIs Majesty's Prison,...

WalkDontWalk · 21/02/2026 11:25

PandoraSocks · 19/02/2026 20:20

If my mum had paid out millions to protect my sibling I might have been curious to find out what was really going on.

The royals are corrupt to the core.

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That would mean that he found out about the same time we did - not 'all these years'.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 21/02/2026 08:21

soddingspiderseason · 20/02/2026 09:37

But it wasn’t? And there are checks and balances in the system that are unsaid. Edward 8th was removed for his Nazi leanings. If Charles had committed similar to Andrew, a reason would have been found.

Yes, and there was a great deal more deference towards the RF then, and the press was more likely to keep things out of the papers, even things that ‘everybody’ (in certain circles) knew.

NotVWoolf · 21/02/2026 08:21

Regardless of the monarchy, I think it’s about time the court system changed to ‘The People vs whoever’ and the name changed from Crown Court to People’s Court, and People’s Court of Justice etc. Any crime is against the people of this country.

Needspaceforlego · 21/02/2026 05:43

Dollymylove · 20/02/2026 15:12

Yes I think so. Didn't he overturn a Land rover?.

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Yes and blamed the low sun. I think he hit another car too.

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 21/02/2026 03:51

LightningMode · 19/02/2026 17:57

Can the monarch be arrested?

The King is subject to ‘sovereign immunity’, protecting him from criminal or civil legal proceedings.

https://consoc.org.uk/the-constitution-explained/the-monarchy/

The Royal Prerogative has been a thorn in this country' side for years. And waa a real issue for several old, hard line, Labour MP's back in the day.

A real Old Chesnut.

Unlike the current Labour Govt who will kiss anybody's arse to look good

If we can never get rid of the Head of State.
It surely begs the question. Aren't we lliving in some kind of quasi fascist state?

Maybe in the future.
Could it be uneasy lires the head that wears the crown? Hope so.,,,,

🇬🇧 👑🧽⚖️

Annierob · 20/02/2026 21:21

Well sure Charles 1 thought he was above the law until he lost his head.
i am sure a naughty monarch would have an ‘accident’.

ThistleTits · 20/02/2026 21:06

Raven08 · 19/02/2026 17:45

Charles? Friend of Jimmy Saville?

And many others

CurlewKate · 20/02/2026 21:05

There are some suitcases of Saudi cash in Charles’ background. And some lovely horses and tiaras in TLQ’s. So maybe not as
squeaky clean as some want to thing….

Kave · 20/02/2026 20:04

Was it by any chance a Catholic school? I remember my brother (Benedictine monastery) & I (state grammar) comparing notes on our History syllabuses.

damsello · 20/02/2026 20:04

The Crown -v- the Crown in the Crown court. Perfect.

Vaxtable · 20/02/2026 19:48

Raven08 · 19/02/2026 17:45

Charles? Friend of Jimmy Saville?

@Raven08

They met on occasions and Jimmy cultivated him just as he did many others. They were not best friends meeting left right and centre.

Charles has a strong sense of duty and would not and has not done what Andrew has done

They are completely different characters and I firmly believe the have never been close

Charles now just needs to remove him from the line of succession and I think he needs to remove the daughter’s titles and succession as well. Beatrice in particular seems well caught up in it

JustMeAndTheFish · 20/02/2026 19:43

Didn’t someone get their head chopped off by Cromwell’s lot to prove the point that nobody - even the monarch - is above the law?

Laurmolonlabe · 20/02/2026 18:32

As has been pointed out this is the first time a member of the RF has been arrested since 1647- but what followed then should reassure you that the legal framework exists to deal with this. King Charles l was arrested by officers of Parliament and the army (the New Model) all officially officers of the Crown- it did not stop Charles l being beheaded.

Sometimessmiling · 20/02/2026 18:12

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 19/02/2026 17:41

The PM said this morning that nobody is above the law, but is that actually true?

If it had actually been the monarch who was suspected of committing the crimes that Andrew is accused of, rather than his brother, am I right in thinking that, as things stand, there would be no provision under our existing constitution to deal with this? The police and the courts are agents of the crown, so presumably they couldn't act against the monarch?

So what would actually happen in that situation if the rest of the royal family couldn't persuade the monarch to abdicate. Would we have to have a revolution?

ETA Sorry, forgot to add my AIBU. AIBU to think that it isn't quite accurate to say that nobody is above the law.

Lots of pics today of Charles and Jimmy saville having lots of laughs together, Balmoral, Sandringham. Well known at the time what JD was.....so Charles has questions 3 answer too

PetuniaT · 20/02/2026 18:09

Seashor · 19/02/2026 17:46

But it wasn’t Charles, so it’s irrelevant.

Right! The post and the other one speculating about Andrew's dad are pointless

1dayatatime · 20/02/2026 17:48

And then of course there is also Naomi Campbell :

https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/naomi-campbell-jeffrey-epstein-files-b2921554.html#

CurlewKate · 20/02/2026 17:46

Untailored · 20/02/2026 15:26

Do you think? I don’t think it tarnishes them, most reasonable people understand that Andrew’s behaviour is nothing to do with any of them.

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His behaviour isn’t. But the way it was managed most definitely is. Most reasonable people understand that.

1dayatatime · 20/02/2026 17:37

RS1987 · 20/02/2026 12:37

Omg the Dalai Lama!! Had no idea!! How disgusting. Who next - Keanu Reeves?!

Well there is also Stephen Hawkings who was mentioned in court documents released in 2024 during Ghislaine Maxwell's trial.

The documents included an email Epstein sent in 2015, asking friends of Virginia Giuffre to disprove supposed allegations of Giuffre's that Hawking participated in an "underage orgy"

pizzaHeart · 20/02/2026 15:34

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 19/02/2026 18:01

This is true, but elected heads of state can be removed. A monarch is a bit different.

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It’s an interesting question OP.
I’m not sure if someone will have an answer here. I suspect it’s a very expensive legal question.
We definitely need mechanisms when people at the top ( including PM or King/ Queen) can be hold accountable. It’s not an easy system to establish and to guarantee that it’s working, that’s for sure. But I don’t buy these “royal family is so committed to the service”, no, they are not, and checks should be in place for them as well.

Untailored · 20/02/2026 15:26

caringcarer · 20/02/2026 15:18

I think AMW if found guilty needs to be taken off of list of succession. I hope parliament would do that. I feel sorry for Charles. He's worked hard to try to give RF a better image and then AMW is like a wrecking ball. I expect William and Catherine are furious too as it's tarnishing their legacy.

Do you think? I don’t think it tarnishes them, most reasonable people understand that Andrew’s behaviour is nothing to do with any of them.

Untailored · 20/02/2026 15:24

While it’s fun to speculate ‘what if’, the boring truth is that everyone, including monarchs, tend to act sensibly and with the stability of the country in mind.

caringcarer · 20/02/2026 15:18

I think AMW if found guilty needs to be taken off of list of succession. I hope parliament would do that. I feel sorry for Charles. He's worked hard to try to give RF a better image and then AMW is like a wrecking ball. I expect William and Catherine are furious too as it's tarnishing their legacy.

Dollymylove · 20/02/2026 15:12

Needspaceforlego · 20/02/2026 13:58

Was Prince Philip not effectively forced to hand in his driving licence after an accident?

I'd be quite worried about Charles mental health or memory issues if he was caught shop lifting hes one of the richest men in the world.

Yes I think so. Didn't he overturn a Land rover?.

RustyBear · 20/02/2026 15:11

soddingspiderseason · 20/02/2026 09:37

But it wasn’t? And there are checks and balances in the system that are unsaid. Edward 8th was removed for his Nazi leanings. If Charles had committed similar to Andrew, a reason would have been found.

Edward VIII wasn’t removed for his ‘Nazi leanings’ - at the time of the abdication half the Establishment had similar views on the German regime. What they had against him was that he was proving to be a bit of a loose cannon and was apparently prepared to ignore the main principle of constitutional monarchy: that the King cannot act against the advice of his ministers and should only act on that advice.