Mark Dolan speaks to Isabel Oakeshott after her explosive Mail on Sunday exclusive claiming that King Charles was warned as far back as 2019 about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s controversial business associations. Oakeshott says the “direction of travel” in this saga is now clear: the central question is “what did the most senior members of the royal family know, when did they know it, and what did they actually do about it?” Her report reveals that a whistleblower email alerted the Palace to Andrew’s financial links with the Rowland family, businessmen operating in what she described as “some extremely shady places” and “hostile regimes”.

While stressing that the Rowlands were not accused of breaking laws, Oakeshott argues Andrew acted as a “door opener”, leveraging his role as UK trade envoy to grant access to global leaders and corporate chiefs. Crucially, she says the King’s office has not denied receiving the warning. “The buck ultimately stopping with the King,” she says, means the pressure now shifts to Charles to explain whether he took the concerns seriously or simply hoped the problem would “go away”.

Oakeshott likens the wider culture around royal perks to the MPs’ expenses scandal, describing a long-standing sense of “entitlement” and limited accountability. She believes the fallout could trigger deeper scrutiny of royal finances, foreign links and lifestyle privileges. Though she admits feeling some sympathy for a monarch facing personal and health challenges, she says this is an institutional reckoning. Whether the Palace moves to “spin it” or opts for transparency, she warns, this scoop puts the spotlight firmly on the King and raises profound questions about the future direction of the monarchy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.