Conan O'Brien shocks viewers with brutal 'Prince Andrew joke' during Oscars opening monologue: 'It's messy!'

He then added: "A British spokesperson said: 'Yeah, well at least we arrest our paedophiles.'"

The remark initially prompted a wave of shock inside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, before applause followed the brief silence.

O'Brien did not reference the former Duke of York by name, but it follows Andrew's recent arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his connections with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

He has since been released under investigation.

His arrest has no connection with any allegation of sexual misconduct and he has consistently denied any wrongdoing over his association with Epstein.

The former royal was taken into custody on his 66th birthday in February, with multiple Thames Valley Police vehicles descending on his Wood Farm home.

He is said to have endured 11 hours of questioning at Aylsham police station in Norfolk before later being photographed looking visibly shaken as officers drove him away.

Millions of documents connected to the Epstein case were released earlier this year, drawing renewed scrutiny toward several high-profile figures, including Bill Gates and Donald Trump.

Mr O’Brien also appeared to take aim at the US President during the monologue - again without mentioning him by name.

The host welcomed viewers to the “small penis theatre” before joking that “someone” might soon want to put their name on a venue with such a title, a pointed reference to the recent renaming of the Kennedy Centre to the “Trump Kennedy Centre”.

The comedian warned the audience early on that the ceremony could turn political.

“If that makes you uncomfortable, Kid Rock is hosting an alternate Oscars at a Dave & Buster’s down the street,” he joked.

This was in reference to the musician’s recent Turning Point USA All-American Halftime Show, which streamed as an alternative to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX performance in February.

Mr O'Brien's return to the Oscars stage came just two days after his acclaimed debut hosting the 97th ceremony last year, when Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janey Yang praised him as "the perfect host" who guided proceedings "with humour, warmth and reverence."

Speaking at a pre-ceremony conference, the 62-year-old acknowledged the challenge of striking the right balance.

Finding the equilibrium between "entertaining people and also acknowledging some of the realities" is a "dance," he explained, adding that he would "find the right tone."

The comedian's hosting style has drawn favourable comparisons to predecessor Jimmy Kimmel, with O'Brien's credentials as a noted film enthusiast setting him apart.

Shortly after the quip, social media users were quick to share their reactions.

One user jabbed "Oh - we’re getting messy," as O'Brien opened the evening.

Another commented: “Finally, someone says it on that stage full of elites who look the other way.

"Hollywood's house of cards is shaking - Conan won't be invited back anytime soon. Truth hurts!"

However, others criticised the remark, with one user writing: “A cruel and terrifying mockery of his victims, both those still living and dead.”