Queen Elizabeth II's ex-Press Secretary reacts to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrest: 'She would be mortified!'

Ms Anderson told GB News: "I'm just so grateful that she's no longer with us because I think she would be absolutely mortified.

"This is a huge stain on the monarchy and on the Royal Family. When this story first broke in 2010, we didn't know to the extent of what had happened, as we do now with the sort of release of these emails, but I think she would be absolutely horrified."

Noting the late monarch's devotion to duty, she added: "The Queen was the daughter of a Naval Officer, married to a Naval Officer, and she put duty and others before herself. She was an honourable woman, and this has really caused dishonour to her family."

Andrew was arrested by Thames Valley Police on his 66th birthday at the King's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

In a statement confirming his arrest, police said: "As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.

"The man remains in police custody at this time. We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court."

Asked by Martin where she believes this leaves the reputation of the Royal Family, Ms Anderson admitted: "What really pains me, to be honest, is it takes the shine of all the amazing work that the monarchy and the Royal Family do.

"And even today, there was King Charles supporting the opening of London Fashion Week, and the only story in town was the arrest of his younger brother, when he clearly wanted to do something great and support the British fashion industry.

"So for me, my greatest concern is that it does take the shine, the polish off all the amazing work that the Royal Family as a whole do to support UK PLC."

Responding to the arrest, King Charles declared unequivocally "the law must take its course", while pledging "full and wholehearted support and co-operation" with investigating authorities.

His Majesty said in a statement: "I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

"What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.

"In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.

"As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all."

Praising the King's statement, Ms Anderson told the People's Channel: "I was surprised and actually gratified to see how quickly the King personally reacted to the arrest of his younger brother. That statement came out less than two hours after the official statement by by the police.

"So he acted very, very swiftly, and, it was a personal statement. It wasn't a statement just released by Buckingham Palace, it was a personal statement by the King, so it's clearly really affecting him."

Andrew has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing amid the ongoing allegations.

The former senior royal was relocated to the remote Norfolk property following his departure from his previous Windsor residence amid reports about his relationship with the late convicted peadophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Appearing in the Epstein files is not evidence of any wrongdoing and Inclusion in the documents does not implicate anyone in Epstein's criminality.

GB News has contacted Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for comment.

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