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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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Activists briefly hung a framed photograph of Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, inside the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday, just days after his arrest in the United Kingdom on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The stunt, carried out by the campaign group Everyone Hates Elon, was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media, drawing millions of views and widespread reaction online.
The image showed Mountbatten‑Windsor slumped in the back of a vehicle as he left a police station in Norfolk following his detention last week. Museum staff removed the photograph within minutes, but not before visitors stopped to look and take photos, according to footage shared by the group.
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Why It Matters
The incident comes amid intense public scrutiny surrounding Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor following his arrest. While the Louvre display was brief, the viral spread of the footage highlights how activism and social media are shaping public narratives around high‑profile legal cases.
It also comes at a sensitive moment for Britain’s royal family, as the case marks an unprecedented legal development involving a senior royal, amplifying domestic and international attention.
What to Know
British police arrested Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor on February 19, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was detained for around 11 hours before being released under investigation, meaning he has not been charged and the inquiry is ongoing.
The investigation relates to allegations that, while serving as the U.K.’s special trade envoy in the early 2000s, he shared confidential government information with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Police have said they are assessing material released by U.S. authorities as part of the Epstein files. Mountbatten‑Windsor has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has said he regrets his association with Epstein.
The Louvre stunt was carried out by Everyone Hates Elon, a U.K.-based activist group known for provocative public actions targeting wealthy and powerful figures. In an Instagram post showing the moment the photo was hung, the group wrote: “They say ‘hang it in the Louvre.’ So we did.”
The group behind Everyone Hates Elon told Newsweek: “We wanted to show the former Prince Andrew how he will be remembered.
“This photo shows him trying to hide from the truth. But he can't hide anymore. Hopefully this is just the start. We were able to put the photo up pretty easily. It was up for about 15 minutes before they took it down. The Louvre staff even found it funny.”
What Happens Next
Police have said the investigation into suspected misconduct in public office is ongoing, with no charges announced at this stage. Mountbatten‑Windsor remains under investigation and continues to deny any criminal wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, the viral Louvre footage continues to circulate online. The video posted on the official @everyonehateselon_ Instagram account has surpassed 1.5 million views, with commenters calling for similar actions elsewhere, including in the U.K.
The Louvre refused to comment on the incident when approached by Newsweek, and it remains unclear whether any further action will be taken in response to the activists’ brief installation.
Update 02/23/26, 9:25 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Everybody Hates Elon.
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