Keeping calm and carrying on! King Charles shares a laugh with Stella McCartney as he sits on front row of catwalk at London Fashion Week on day Andrew is arrested

King Charles shared a laugh with Stella McCartney as she sat in the front row of the catwalk at London Fashion Week this afternoon, hours after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.

The King looked calm as he took his seat next to the 54-year-old British fashion designer before striking up a conversation ahead of Tolu Çoker’s fashion show in central London today.

At one point Charles burst into laughter as McCartney looked at him with a shocked and amused expression.

It came just hours after the King’s younger brother Andrew was arrested on his 66th birthday and detained during a morning raid on his home in Norfolk. The former Prince was later released and footage emerged of him being taken away around 7.30pm on Thursday evening.

The former Duke of York’s new home, Wood Farm on his Sandringham estate, was searched by Thames Valley Police, along with his former mansion, Royal Lodge, in Windsor.

Many sources claimed that Charles and Buckingham Palace were not informed by detectives before the operation.

But Charles revealed little emotion as huge crowds gathered to greet him as he arrived at The Strand in London this afternoon in his State Bentley.

Two journalists quizzed the monarch and asked: ‘Do you have any reaction to your brother’s arrest, sir?’ and ‘Your Majesty, how are you feeling after your brother’s arrest? Have you spoken to your brother, Your Majesty?’

Without comment, Charles walked in and sat down at an exhibition by British-Nigerian designer Coker, which was supported by the King’s Trust’s Enterprise Program in 2018.

Charles smiles as he watches the show in central London this afternoon

Charles smiles and laughs with Fashion Council Chief Laura Weir

A statement from the King following his brother’s arrest in which he said he supported the police action and that he and the Royal Family would fully cooperate

Charles and McCartney view an exhibition celebrating sustainable British innovation as they open London Fashion Week

Charles smiles at the event as he sits next to British fashion designer McCartney

McCartney laughs with Charles at event in central London today

Fashion designer looks amused by something the monarch said

Hours earlier, the King declared that the police would “wholeheartedly support and cooperate” and stated that “the law must take its course”.

Calling for a ‘full, fair and proper process’, Charles added: ‘My family and I will continue our mission and serve you all.’

He still appeared to be enjoying today’s show, though, as he sang along to the music and chatted with both McCartney and Weir as models walked past.

At one point, rapper Little Simz began performing from her seat a few feet away from him, before standing up to join the band in the middle of the venue at 180 Studios on The Strand.

Charles had previously greeted McCartney with kisses as he toured his installation on sustainable British innovation.

The designer was today announced as the King’s Ambassador for the Sustainable Markets Initiative and showed him examples of the sustainable materials he uses in his collections, including plant-based Ostrich feather alternatives, plastic-free sequins and leather substitutes made from corks.

McCartney presented Charles with a scarf and took on a photo editing job for a major media group, telling the King, ‘Let’s get a nice photo, ready, okay, come on cheesy smile.’

When she realized the scarf needed to be rearranged she said to the King: ‘OK, I’ll do this, let me organize this, here you go your majesty – ready, pull’ and they both held the gift as they posed for the picture.

Many in the audience felt that the monarch made a solid point about his determination to continue serving his country while the legal process continues.

Thames Valley Police have arrested Andrew, eighth in line to the British throne, on suspicion of abuse of public office.

McCartney watches the show this afternoon while sitting next to King Charles

Charles appears to burst into laughter as McCartney looks at him with a shocked and amused expression.

Charles and McCartney look on as they attend London Fashion Week in central London

Charles watches an exhibition celebrating sustainable British innovation as he opens London Fashion Week 2026

The King had earlier warmly greeted McCartney as he toured his installation on sustainable British innovation.

The Daily Mail was first to reveal that plainclothes police arrived at Wood Farm, where Andrew lives, at 8am this morning in six unmarked vehicles.

A convoy, including at least two royal Land Rovers bound for Andrew, was photographed leaving the estate less than an hour later. His arrest was confirmed at 10.08am.

For the past ten days, detectives have been investigating his conduct as UK trade envoy after emails in the Epstein Files suggest he shared confidential information with his pedophile friend, including reports on official visits and potential investment opportunities.

A Thames Valley spokesman said today: ‘Today we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of abuse of public office.’

The agency said its officers searched an address in Norfolk (believed to be Wood Farm, where Andrew was exiled) and an address in Berkshire (possibly the Royal Lodge in Windsor, where Andrew lived for more than 20 years until this month).

King Charles attends London Fashion Week opening show after Andrew’s arrest

Norfolk Police said it was ‘supporting’ the Thames Valley investigation but did not say whether any of the stations were used by detectives to interview Andrew.

Thames Valley Deputy Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: ‘Following a thorough assessment, we have launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office.

‘It is important that we maintain the integrity and impartiality of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged crime.

‘We recognize the significant public interest in this case and will provide updates at the appropriate time.’