Stephen Colbert Celebrates Former Prince Andrew’s Arrest: ‘Let’s Hear It for British Justice’

Rolling Stone

by Emily Zemler

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Stephen Colbert recently celebrated the arrest of Prince Andrew, known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, on his show *The Late Show*. The former prince was detained for "misconduct in public office," a charge distinct from the sexual misconduct allegations he faced. Colbert humorously contrasted British justice, noting its unique formalities like frilly wigs, with the American system, which he implied might not hold individuals accountable for similar actions, referencing Donald Trump's past conduct. The arrest stems from documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein, revealing Andrew sent trade reports to Epstein in 2010. This contrasts with the high-profile sexual misconduct allegations against him, which were settled out of court in 2022. Colbert's monologue highlighted the disparity between how such actions are handled in the U.S. versus the U.K., drawing attention to the differing approaches in legal accountability. Andrew's arrest follows his loss of royal titles after Epstein-related revelations. His connection to Epstein, detailed in the Justice Department files, has led to significant repercussions, including forced removal from his home by King Charles. Virginia Giuffre, a key accuser against Andrew who later died by suicide, had filed a lawsuit that was settled. Her family expressed relief at his arrest, emphasizing that no one is above the law. The case underscores broader implications of the Epstein files, which have led to international scrutiny and the downfall of influential figures tied to Epstein. In contrast, the U.S. has seen limited impact, despite Trump's alleged connections to Epstein. This highlights differing approaches to justice and accountability across nations, resonating culturally by sparking discussions on legal systems and their effectiveness in addressing misconduct.

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Originally published on Rolling Stone on 2/20/2026