Hours after brother Andrew’s arrest, King Charles attends Fashion Week

Britain’s King Charles made a public appearance at London Fashion Week on Thursday, just hours after his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The 77-year-old monarch arrived at Tolu Coker’s runway show, greeting members of the public with a wave before taking his seat in the front row. Inside, he was warmly received with applause and was seen chatting with British Fashion Council Chief Executive Laura Weir and designer Stella McCartney.

Earlier that day, police detained Mountbatten-Windsor for questioning over allegations that he sent confidential government documents to Jeffrey Epstein. The arrest of the senior royal, who is eighth in line to the throne, marks an unprecedented development in modern royal history and represents the most serious challenge of Charles’s reign to date.

In a statement released following the news, the king expressed his “deepest concern,” emphasizing that “the law must take its course.” He added that he and his family would “continue in our duty and service.”

The king’s visit to the fashion event had been scheduled in advance and highlighted his long-standing interest in British craftsmanship and design. A loyal patron of Savile Row tailoring, Charles observed Coker’s latest collection, which celebrates cultural identity and artisanal skill.

Coker, who founded her label in 2021, presented her designs as part of the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN programme, an initiative that supports emerging talent through funding and mentorship.

Before the runway show, Charles toured several exhibitions at the London Fashion Week venue, including a display by Stella McCartney, known for championing sustainable fashion and alternatives to leather and fur.

The appearance also echoed royal tradition: in 2018, Queen Elizabeth II attended a London Fashion Week show, sitting front row at Richard Quinn’s presentation alongside fashion editor Anna Wintour.