A timeline of British royal sagas and scandals down the decades
Al Jazeera
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The arrest of Prince Andrew, brother of King Charles II, marks a historic moment in British royal history as the first time a UK monarch has been arrested in over 350 years. Accused of misconduct linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the prince was held for questioning before being released on Thursday. This follows his revoked princely title last year due to allegations of sexual abuse involving Epstein and Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide after a settlement in her lawsuit against him.
The royal family has long been no stranger to scandal, with Andrew far from the first to face such dramatic headlines. The 1936 abdication of King Edward VIII over his desire to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson shocked the monarchy and remains one of its most defining moments. Decades later, Queen Elizabeth II weathered her own "annus horribilis" in 1992, as three of her children's marriages collapsed amid public scrutiny.
The fallout continued through the 1990s with scandals like "Camillagate," where a leaked phone call revealed Prince Charles' affair with Camilla Parker Bowles while he was still married to Princess Diana. The recordings fueled public outrage and damaged the monarchy's reputation, though Charles and Camilla later wed in 2005. Meanwhile, Princess Anne's divorce and Princess Diana's infamous Panorama interview added further fuel to the fire, with Diana discussing her marital struggles and eventual separation from Charles.
These events highlight a recurring theme of personal and marital crises within the royal family that have tested public trust in an institution meant to symbolize stability. From Epstein's influence on Andrew to the abdication of Edward VIII, these scandals not only reflect internal dysfunction but also underscore how the monarchy navigates modern expectations while maintaining its cultural significance. For readers following global news, understanding these dynamics provides insight into the challenges facing a historic yet increasingly scrutinized institution.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/20/2026