What if formerPrince Andrew befriended Jeffrey Epsteinas part of an elaborate plan to makeKing Charles IIIlook better by comparison?
That was the premise of the cold open of the latest episode of "Saturday Night Live UK," the new British spinoff of the American sketch comedy show. The sketch, which aired on March 28, depicted a fictional, secret meeting of MI5 agents in 1997. Jack Shep starred as Andrew, who, shortly after thedeath of Princess Diana, was briefed on a plan to improve Prince Charles' image.
"We have deduced that the only way to increase the likability of our future king is to decrease the likability of everyone around him," one of the agents told Andrew, who was presented with a "29-year plan to slowly, but surely, make the entire country think you are a ... well, have a little read."
Shep's Andrew flipped through documents outlining this plan and asked, "You actually want me to do all of this stuff? Even the part about befriending a notorious pedophile — before and after he's convicted?"
While the sketch spoofedAndrew's controversial ties tothe late convicted sex offender, Epstein was never mentioned by name. Andrew, who wasarrested in Februaryon suspicion of misconduct in public life, has said he regrets his friendship with Epstein and has denied wrongdoing.
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"This all seems very high risk. God, I'm sweating," Shep as Andrew said, a reference to the real Andrew claiming he was medically unable to sweat duringhis infamous 2019 BBC interview.
But the plan went beyond just Epstein: In the sketch, when Shep's Andrew pointed outPrince Williamis "so handsome" that it will be hard to make him unlikable, one of the agents said, "We're seeing to that."Prince Harry, meanwhile, will "marry a woman 98% of the UK public will find it impossible to have a normal conversation about," another agent revealed.
Police officers, unmarked vehicles and media were seen at residences linked to disgraced former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026. Windsor was reportedly arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on the Sandringham estate. In a statement, Thames Valley police said they were also "carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk" as part of the investigation. See the scene outside various residences, beginning here near the entrance to Wood Farm in Sandringham, Norfolk." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The media gather to report near the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026, in Sandringham, Norfolk." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Unmarked police vehicles enter the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, on Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In this photo illustration, a statement from His Majesty King Charles III via communications at Buckingham Palace pledges his "full and wholehearted support and co-operation" to the "appropriate authorities" in response to the arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Unmarked vehicles exit the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A person steps out of unmarked car at the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026, in Sandringham, Norfolk." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Unmarked police vehicles exit the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Unmarked vehicles exit the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Police investigate homes tied to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor amid his arrest
Police officers, unmarked vehicles and media were seen at residences linked todisgraced former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsoron Feb. 19, 2026. Windsor wasreportedly arrestedon suspicion of misconduct in public office on the Sandringham estate. In a statement, Thames Valley police said they were also "carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk" as part of the investigation. See the scene outside various residences, beginning here near the entrance to Wood Farm in Sandringham, Norfolk.
This was the second-ever episode of "Saturday Night Live UK," which premiered March 21. The series'first cold opendepictedPrime Minister Keir Starmer(George Fouracres) being nervous to callPresident Donald Trumpand wanting to avoid conflict with the U.S. president. Trump shared a portion of the sketch on Truth Social, though he did not include the second half, during which Fouracres as Starmer remarked that Trump wants to "start World War III."
Prince. Epstein. Arrest.How Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor fell from grace
Jamie Dornanhosted the March 28 episode of "SNL UK," which will be available to watch in the U.S. on Peacock.Riz Ahmedis set to host the next episode on April 4, the same day thatJack Blackwill host the American version of "Saturday Night Live."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'SNL UK' cold open mocks former Prince Andrew, Prince William