SNL UK Sketch Satirizes Andrew-Epstein Ties as MI5 Plot

The second episode of Saturday Night Live UK aired a provocative cold open sketch that satirized former Prince Andrew's association with Jeffrey Epstein, portraying it as part of a fictional 29-year MI5 scheme to enhance the public image of then-Prince Charles following Princess Diana's death in 1997.

Set in MI5 headquarters shortly after Diana's passing, the five-minute segment featured comedian Jack Shep as Andrew, summoned for a briefing by agents played by Celeste Dring, Hammed Animashaun, and Ayoade Bamgboye. Dring's character opened the discussion by noting the shift in public sentiment. "Since the death of Diana, the public have turned on Prince Charles. But still, one day he will be king," she said. "We need to make him look good. There's no easy way to say this, Your Highness. We have deduced that the only way to increase the likability of our future king is to decrease the likability of everyone around him."

Shep's Andrew responded with apparent patriotism. "I see," he said. "Well, I love my brother, I love my country, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes." Animashaun's agent then presented a thick dossier outlining the long-term strategy, prompting Andrew's shock...