The British royal family is never short of drama, but this time the intrigue is treading dangerously close to a full-blown catastrophe. As if pulled from the pages of a historical novel, an actual arrest has occurred within the hallowed halls of Buckingham Palace. Yes, shocker of all shockers, a member of the royal family—none other than King Charles’s own brother, Andrew—has seen the inside of a jail cell, thanks to a misconduct in public office charge. One might argue that the royals just can’t catch a break these days, but this is no minor breach of protocol. This time, it’s a charge serious enough to carry a possible life sentence.

For a family known more for cutting ribbons and hosting garden parties than for court appearances, this scandal has shaken the nation. In a drip-drip of damning revelations, it’s alleged that Andrew, while serving as a trade envoy, leaked top-secret government information to the notorious Jeffrey Epstein. Perhaps Andrew thought he was playing a real-life game of espionage, albeit one that could end with him having a cell much smaller than the palace he’s used to.

While the Queen once stepped in to help Andrew out of a legal bind with her war chest, King Charles seems to have taken a more austere approach to royal crisis management. The new king isn’t standing by his brother’s side, and the royal statements are about as affectionate as a jilted lover’s breakup text. When your majesty makes it clear he’s leaving you to your own devices, you know there isn’t a royal pardon coming your way.

Now, if all this isn’t dramatic enough, let’s add the calamity unfolding in the British government. Amidst all the royal pandemonium comes another twist. The British Prime Minister is teetering on the brink of political oblivion. Apparently, Keir Starmer ignored some rather glaring red flags related to Epstein connections when appointing a key ambassador. Who could have predicted that ignoring a convicted felon’s continued social hobnobbing would come back to bite him? Now, whispers suggest a conservative tide might wash over Britain once again if things keep unraveling at this unseemly pace.

In the end, what we witness could be one of the most fascinating public spectacles of our time. Royal family members being dragged into police interviews, a government on the ropes, and international intrigue involving treachery and treason. One might say, between the royals and politicians, the British tabloids have never had it this good. The monarchy may very well emerge from this rumpus irreparably changed, if it emerges at all. But one thing is for sure: it’s a spectacle the world just can’t seem to look away from.