The former royal was arrested at his Sandringham home on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

A joke about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Jeffrey Epstein right in front of Prince William and Kate at the BAFTAs has resurfaced. The former royal was arrested at his Sandringham home – on his 66th birthday – on suspicion of misconduct in public office during the week.

Accusations over Andrew’s links to convicted paedophile Epstein have plagued the family for years but finally came to a head with the US Department of Justice released files. Ahead of the BAFTAs tonight, a gag from a previous award show has come to light.

Actress Rebel Wilson took to the stage at the British Academy Film Awards back in 2020 and stole the show with a number of toe-curling references to some of the royals biggest scandals, all with the Prince and Princess of Wales sitting metres from her.

As reported by the Mirror, one of these has dominated headlines again this week. Australian comedy actress Rebel referenced Prince Andrew and the recently abdicated Prince Harry before presenting the Best Director award to filmmaker Sam Mendes.

Addressing the star-studded audience at London’s Royal Albert Hall, she joked about the subjects that were on everyone’s lips that it appeared she’d been told not to mention.

“Good evening distinguished guests and those that don’t identify as that. It is really great to be here, at the Royal Andrew… Royal Harry… no, sorry, Royal Phil- at this royal… palace place,” she corrected herself.

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The awkward joke prompted a titter of laughs from the audience as the cameras immediately cut to William and Kate who were seen staring up at her from the front row.

Andrew had at the time just stepped down from royal duties following a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview about his friendship with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

In his 2019 interview with Emily Maitlis, Prince Andrew denied sexual allegations by Virginia Giuffre, claiming he had “no recollection” of meeting her and was instead at a Pizza Express in Woking with his daughter on the date in question. He defended his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as “useful” for business opportunities, but expressed regret for staying at his house.

Five years on, King Charles III officially stripped Prince Andrew of his titles of ‘Prince,’ ‘Royal Highness’ and ‘Duke of York’ in November 2025, following controversy over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.

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Rebel’s joke sparked mixed reviews from viewers, with some calling it ‘cringe’ and ‘disgustingly unfunny’ as they shared their sympathies with William and Kate having to be on the front line representing their family at such a public event.

However another wrote: “Three cheers for the producer who cut to William and Kate after Rebel Wilson’s Prince Andrew and Harry joke.”

It wasn’t the only awkward moment of the night for the couple. As Margot Robbie took to the stage to pick up Brad Pitt’s award for Best Supporting Actor on behalf of absent Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood she made another dig.

Reading out his acceptance speech, she told the audience: “Brad says he is going to name this Harry because he is really excited about bringing it back to the States with him. His words not mine,” she quickly insisted. This time, however, Kate and William were seen laughing in their seats as the cameras once again cut to them.

Prince William has served as the President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) since 2010, succeeding Lord Attenborough. In this role, he and Kate, the Princess of Wales, frequently attend the annual BAFTA Film Awards to support the industry, meet nominees, and present awards.

Police and firefighters crews the scene following reports of a blaze at a property in a row of terraced houses.

The road was taped off while crews dealt with the incident.

An eyewitness said both Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were in attendance.

The fire has now been extinguished and the cause of the fire is still unknown.

A spokesperson for Bolton Central Fire Station said: “It is under investigation so we cannot disclose any information.”

Greater Manchester Police have also been contacted for comment.

In 2018, as a 15-year-old, Zoe Atkin watched her big sister Izzy win Winter Olympic bronze for Team GB – and a spark was lit.

She wanted her moment on the podium. She wanted to do the same.

That fire burned for eight years until Sunday, when she did.

In winning halfpipe bronze in Livigno, Atkin became only the second British athlete to win an Olympic medal on skis.

Keeping the honour in the family, the first was her sister in the Pyeongchang slopestyle.

“She’s always been my biggest inspiration, she pushed me into the sport, she was always bullying me to jump off things on the mountain,” said 23-year-old Atkin.

“After watching her [win the medal] it’s always been a huge goal for me.

“It’s a real full-circle moment because she was here supporting me, and I was there when she won her bronze medal, so it’s really special.

“Obviously I wanted to one-up her a bit but it’s really special that we both have the bronze.

“My mum is claiming that she’s the first parent to have two Olympic medallists for GB in the family.”

Atkin had already secured a medal when she dropped into the pipe for her final run and, with the pressure off, improved her score to 92.50 – just half a point shy of the silver medal position.

China’s global superstar Eileen Gu won gold, her first of these Games after two silvers, with 94.75, while compatriot Li Fanghui took silver.

Atkin’s medal was the fifth for Great Britain at the Milan-Cortina Games, after three golds and a silver, equalling the team’s record-best haul from 2014 and 2018.

But this was the team’s most successful Winter Olympics the moment Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale secured the second of those golds in the mixed team snowboard cross exactly a week ago.

Never before had Great Britain won more than one gold at a single Winter Games.

It was so close yet so far for Wales as they were beaten by Scotland to miss out on a first home Six Nations win since 2022

Wales wing Josh Adams has praised the “amazing” Principality Stadium crowd and says his side will “keep fighting for you all” after suffering a heartbreaking late defeat at home to Scotland in the Six Nations.

Despite leading for the vast majority of Saturday’s game in Cardiff, Steve Tandy’s men succumbed to late Scottish pressure to lose 23-26. It means Wales have still not won a Six Nations match since 2023, and haven’t tasted victory at home in the tournament in nearly four years.

In spite of the latest loss, positives could be taken from the team’s overall performance which took many by surprise, with hope of further improvements to come ahead of the remaining fixtures against Ireland and Italy.

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Speaking to S4C immediately after the game, try-scorer Adams, who now has 65 caps for Wales, said: “It’s difficult to take to be honest – it feels a lot different to the last two games (defeats to England and France).

“We were in the game today, and we played really well. In the second half we maybe lost a bit of control in the centre of the pitch, a bit of momentum too. Credit to Scotland for coming back, but that was a much better performance.”

Adams said it was a different challenge for the Wales side after they went ahead early in the match.

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“We haven’t been ahead at half-time (before the Scotland game) and we didn’t want to go into the game tight, just kicking the ball out,” he said. “We wanted to play with the ball to try to increase the score but in the second half it was quite hard for us to get that momentum back.

“That try (that Darcy Graham scored in the 58th minute) – I haven’t seen a try like that before from the kick-off. It was one moment, and Finn (Finn Russell, who set up the try with a quick kick-off) is capable of moments like that.”

Adams praised the almost sold-out Welsh crowd, and said the team is doing all it can to give thousands of Welsh supporters something to cheer about.

“Honestly, it (the atmosphere) was amazing today; it was amazing last week,” Adams said. “I think there was more in this week than last week, and when the anthem is sung a cappella it’s amazing.

“Thank you to everyone for coming out and supporting us. We’re trying our best and we’re going to carry on fighting for you all.”

Wales have two fixtures remaining to try and avoid a third consecutive wooden spoon. They travel to Dublin to play Ireland on Friday, March 6, and then round off their campaign with a home game against Italy on Saturday, March 14.

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Kyle Christopher Illingworth, 35, was being put into a police van following his arrest on charges that were later dropped by the CPS, Michael Cahill, prosecuting, told York Crown Court.

“He started shouting he was going to make a counter report,” the barrister said. “He then lashed out and kicked the police officer in the groin causing temporary pain.”

The police officer was not injured.  Illingworth also insulted him.

Illingworth, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer. He had 52 previous convictions including several for serious violence and has served a five-year prison sentence for a breaking a woman’s jaw, nose and eye socket.

He has been remanded in custody since his arrest.

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Illingworth’s barrister Rachel Webster said: “He has learnt his lesson. This short spell in custody has really opened his eyes and doesn’t want to return back in here (prison) again.”

“You have served a lot of time in your young life,” Judge Simon Hickey told him. “You have now realised it is time to put this behaviour behind you.  I hope so.”

He jailed him for six weeks. As Illingworth has spent three months in jail on remand, he was expected to be released immediately.

A Catholic monk who sent hundreds of pictures of himself naked on a beach to a holidaymaker has avoided prosecution.

Brother Titus Keet sent200 photos to Lisa Love while she was visiting Caldey Island off the coast of Pembrokeshire in Wales.

Keet, 77, was arrested by police in September 2024, but was thought to have since left the island, known for its history of sexual offences, for Belgium.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service has now said it would not pursue any charges against the monk as it has deemed his pictures were of a spiritual nature, Daily Mail reported.

Ms Love, 55, said she was ‘sickened’ by the verdict and accused the CPS of siding with Keet because of his religious status.

She said: ‘Tell me where in the Bible it says to prance around naked on a beach.’

The mother-of-two had holidayed near the abbey on the island since 2011, where she had previously stayed with her elderly parents.

She met Keet 15 years ago and later befriended him, but became ‘startled’ when he began to send letters and then messages containing indecent photos of himself exercising on beaches.

Despite being assured by the monastery it had disciplined Keet after she reported his behaviour, he continued to send the photos.

Ms Love pursued her case with police, but was told by prosecutor Sandra Subacchi that the CPS would not be continuing proceedings against the monk as there was ‘nothing sexual’ in his relationship with her.

Keet admitted he had been ‘naïve’ but insisted that the images were not sexually motivated and were ‘art’ meant to show ‘my body in the light’.

Caldey Island became embroiled in scandal after it was reported that more than 50 children were abused at the abbey during the 1970s and ’80s.

The revelations led to a review recommending a ‘no touch’ policy between the monks and visitors, while some victims were offered a small amount of compensation.

Ms Love has submitted a claim under the victims’ Right to Review scheme.

The Caldey Island Survivors’ Campaign said police had failed victims and had made the holiday destination unsafe for visitors.

Its chair, Kevin O’Connell, said in a statement to Metro: ‘They just don’t care. They are outdated and not professional enough to deal with historic and modern sexual allegations.  

‘If any other person that was not a monk sent those pictures they would be before a judge.’

The CPS has declined to comment on the case while proceedings remain active.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Police, fire and ambulance attended the incident on Station Road around 6pm yesterday (February 21).

Emergency crews were called to a house fire on Station Road in Darlington at around 6pm on Saturday evening. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Fire placed a small cordon around some properties in the area while the incident was brought under control.

One ambulance, one police vehicle, and two fire vehicles were spotted on the scene.

Emergency crews were called to a house fire on Station Road in Darlington at around 6pm on Saturday evening. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Two fire appliances attended the incident and firefighters deployed two breathing apparatus as they tackled the blaze. One hose reel was used. Crews ceased at 6.16pm.

No injuries were reported.

Emergency crews were called to a house fire on Station Road in Darlington at around 6pm on Saturday evening. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 6pm last night (21 Feb) for a fire on Station Road in Darlington.

“We dispatched one paramedic ambulance to stand by until the scene was declared safe by the fire service. There were no injuries.”

Emergency crews were called to a house fire on Station Road in Darlington at around 6pm on Saturday evening. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

A spokesperson for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: “Fire was called around 6pm to a property on Station Road in Darlington.

“Two appliances attended, and two breathing apparatus were issued, but ceased at 18.16pm. One hose reel was used, and no injuries were reported.”

The heir to the throne previously met Corporal Lucy Wilde, who was found dead at her barracks in Warminster earlier this month.

Prince William has shared his “immense sadness” after an army medic and TikTok star was found dead at her barracks. Corporal Lucy Wilde, 25, died at the barracks in Warminster, Wiltshire, on February 5.

Cpl Wilde had previously met Prince William during her time with the Welsh Guards and the Duke of Rothesay took to social media this morning to share a heartfelt message over her tragic death.

He said: “It was with immense sadness that I learned of Cpl Lucy Wilde’s death. I remember our meeting during her time with the Welsh Guards, where her warmth and compassion were unmistakable.

“She served with courage and distinction as a medic and sought always to help others. I send my heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. Colonel William.”

Cpl Wilde was serving with the Royal Yorkshire Regiment when she died earlier this month. The Ministry of Defence said the circumstances surrounding her death were being investigated, reports the Mirror.

She had built up a following of 18,000 followers on TikTok as she documented her exercise routine and daily life to her.

Josh Wilde, her brother, previously paid tribute to her, describing her as “strength wrapped in softness”. He added that she served in the army with “courage and pride” and “lived with resilience”.

He said: “She adored long walks with her dog, the peace of nature, books that transported her, and the sense of freedom found outdoors. She had a warmth and loyalty that was rare, a heart that gave even when she had been hurt.”

Cpl Wilde was also commended by her former regiment for her “tireless care for others”.

The Welsh Guards said she had “a rare ability to lift those around her,” adding that her loss would be felt “across the Battalion and far beyond”.

Cpl Wilde had won a commendation award after attending to an overturned vehicle in the Falklands that left multiple Welsh Guards injured. The statement said: “Lucy was first on the scene and worked relentlessly to treat casualties and ensure every Guardsman was accounted for and safe.

“Her actions that day were nothing short of outstanding, and she was rightly commended for her courage and professionalism.”

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Four other people sustained injuries

Three people have died after a serious crash in Co Armagh on Saturday night.

At a press conference on Sunday, the PSNI confirmed three fatalities after the three vehicle road traffic collision in the Armagh Road area outisde Moy on Febraury 21.

Assistant Chief Constable, Davy Beck said: “At around 10.20pm, Police received a report of a three-vehicle collision involving a red BMW, a grey Volkswagen and a white Audi.

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“Officers attended, along with colleagues from other emergency services, however, two men, aged 31 and 48, and a woman, aged 23, were sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.

“Four other people sustained injuries, three of whom are receiving medical treatment. “Enquires are continuing and anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed the incident or who has dashcam footage or any other information, should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1654 – 21/02/26.”

The Armagh Road, Moy remains closed at this time.

Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader and Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong called the new a “very dark day” for the families of those involved.

She said: “Today is a very dark day for families who have been plunged into shock and mourning following last night’s road traffic collision on the Armagh Road, Moy.

“I send my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who died in this horrific collision, who must be totally at a loss to comprehend the scale of this tragedy.

“The toll of the loss of life in this incident has shocked the local community and many will be holding those impacted in their thoughts and prayers today.

“My thanks go to the PSNI and emergency services who attended the scene and transferred those affected for medical treatment.”

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