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The announcement of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor\u2019s arrest on his 66<\/span>th<\/sup> birthday on Thursday, 19th February, will go down in history. And anti-monarchy campaigners are also hoping it will take the Royal Family down with it, asking how can the Windsors survive?<\/span><\/p>\n The answer, we at The Royal List believe, is for the Royal Family to act decisively and bring in clear accountability for all its working members. Princess Diana famously disparagingly called the Palace, \u201cThe Firm\u201d, saying it was run by \u201cmen in grey suits\u201d. What she meant, was it was very difficult for her to navigate the politics of the disparate organisation, where the Royal Households are run independently of each other, like silos of a larger organisation. And back in the 1990s, these Households were making sure Diana didn\u2019t get any power of her own.<\/p>\n But what it also meant, clearly, was many of the Households, such as the Duke of York\u2019s, were left to run their own affairs without crucial checks, or enough due diligence. And so, at 8am on Thursday, <\/span>Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.<\/a> Thames Valley Police also carried out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. He was \u201creleased under investigation\u201d, later that day and photographed slumped in the back seat of a car after leaving the police station.<\/span><\/p>\n It was the first time a senior member of the Royal Family had been arrested in more than 350 years \u2013 the last person being Charles I, who, well, lost his head. The King swiftly <\/span>put out a statement supporting the police action<\/a>. \u201cI have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat 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.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLet 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. Charles R.\u201d<\/p>\n