Feb. 19, 2026
King Charles Breaks Silence After Andrew’s Arrest - what happens now?
In an extraordinary development, King Charleshas issued a formal statement following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The King said he had learned of the news “with the deepest concern,” adding that the matter must now follow “the full, fair and proper process” and that the authorities have the Royal Family’s “full and wholehearted support and co-operation.” He concluded: “The law must take its course.”
Police confirmed that a man in his sixties from Norfolk was arrested, with searches carried out in Berkshire and Norfolk. Although officers declined to name the suspect, the Palace statement removed any doubt. Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright confirmed a formal investigation has been opened, stressing the need to protect the integrity of the process. The charge — misconduct in public office — is a serious common law offence carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, though no charges have been filed and an arrest is not evidence of guilt.
Buckingham Palace confirmed it was not informed in advance. Prince William and Catherine are understood to support the King’s remarks. Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that “nobody is above the law.” The King continued with a scheduled appearance at London Fashion Week, declining to answer questions from reporters as he maintained public duties.
The arrest marks a dramatic escalation in a saga stretching back decades, from Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein to the fallout from his BBC Newsnight interview and his 2022 civil settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in 2025. Her family welcomed the arrest, calling it proof that “no one is above the law.”
As investigations expand across multiple police forces and political reaction intensifies on both sides of the Atlantic, commentators warn this moment may come to define the reign of King Charles. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor remains in custody. No charges have been filed. The investigation is active. And as the King stated, the law must now take its course.
Palace Intrigue remains on a modified publishing schedule as this story develops.
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Royal Books:
William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story
The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana
WEBVTT
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A Calorougus Shark Media. Hello, and welcome through Palace Intrigue.
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I am your host, Mark Francis. Here a Palace will
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be publishing a modified schedule as we cover this unprecedented
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news regarding the arrest of former Prince Andrew. We'll begin
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this afternoon with a statement from His Majesty the King.
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It reads I have learned with the deepest concern the
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news about Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in
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public office. What now follows is the full, fair and
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proper process by which this issue is investigated in the
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appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities in this as
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I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted
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support and cooperation. Let me state clearly the law must
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take its course as this process continues. It would not
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be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile,
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my family and I will continue in our duty and
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service to you all. Again. The major news this morning,
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Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct
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in public office, in a dramatic escalation of the long
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running fallout from his links to Jeffrey Epstein. Police confirmed
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that a man in his sixties from Norfolk was taken
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into custody, with searches carried out at addresses in Berkshire
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and Norfolk. The arrest follows the release of millions of
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Epstein related documents and centers on allegations that, while serving
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as the UK's Trade Envoy, Andrew may have shared confidential
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government material. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing and no
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charges have been failed. This is, without question, one of
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the most consequential royal developments of the modern era. The
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police did not name the arrested, although the statement from
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the Palace clears up any mystery if there even was one.
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The police explained we will not be naming the arrested
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man as per national guidance. Please also remember that this
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case is now active, so care should be taken with
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any publication to avoid being in contempt of court. Assistant
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Chief Constable Oliver Wright said, following a thorough assessment, we
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have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconducting
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public office. It is important that we protect the integrity
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and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our
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partners to investigate this alleged offense. We understand the significant
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public interest in this case and we will provide updates
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at the appropriate time. Although police did not name him,
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the details leave little doubt. Officers were seen arriving at
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wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where Andrew
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recently relocated after being stripped of his royal titles and
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evicted from Royal Lodge in Windsor. Searchers were also carried
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out at Royal Lodge itself. Buckingham Palace confirmed it had
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not been informed in advance of the arrest. Prince William
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and Catherine are understood to support the King's remarks. Prime
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Minister Kirstarma had said only hours before news of the
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arrest broke nobody is above the law. He added, one
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of the core principles in our system is that everybody
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is equal under the law and nobody is above the law.
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Charge of misconduct in public office is a serious one
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under English common law. It concerns a public officer who
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wilfully neglects to perform their duty or wilfully misconducts themselves
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in a way that abuses the public's trust. It carries
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a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Legal experts note that
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prosecutors would have to prove Andrew was acting as a
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public officer at the time and that any alleged misconduct
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amounted to a serious abuse of trust without reasonable excuse.
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Former Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent dal Babu described the arrest
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as very significant, explaining that allows officers to search properties
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and seese electronic devices. When you arrest somebody, you are
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allowed to search the properties they have control of and
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the properties they own, he said, adding that police would
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likely be looking for electronic devices in the information that's
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held on those. Under English law, Andrew can be held
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for up to twenty four hours before being charged or released,
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with extensions approved by senior officers and a magistrate. That
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period can be extended maximum of ninety six hours. More
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palts in just a moment. King Charles continued with his
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public duties just hours after the arrest of his brother,
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appearing at London Fashion Week and declining to answer questions
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from reporters about the unfolding investigation. The King had been
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scheduled to attend the opening show and arrived to a
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sizeable crowd gathered outside the Central London venue. As he
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stepped from his vehicle, journalists called out questions regarding Andrew's
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arrest earlier that morning at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate.
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The King did not respond and proceeded inside without comment.
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His decision to maintain his appearance signaled that official engagements
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would continue as planned, despite what many are describing as
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a watershed moment for the monarchy. Inside the venue, the
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King was seated in the front row and was seen
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watching the show attentively. Observers noted that there were no
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outward signs of strain as he carried out the engagement.
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The arrest marks a dramatic escalation in a saga that
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stretches back more than two decades. Andrew, who first met
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Epstein in nineteen ninety nine through Gilain Maxwell in twenty nineteen,
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is now infamous. BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitless deepened
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the crisis. In that interview, he denied meeting Virginia Roberts
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Jeffrey and cast doubt on a photograph of the two together,
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saying nobody can prove whether or not that photograph has
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been doctored, but I don't recollect that photograph ever being taken.
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He also claimed that he could not have been sweating
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at a London nightclub, as alleged, stating it was almost
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impossible for me to sweat due to an overdose of
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adrenaline during his naval service. The interview backfired spectacularly Within days,
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Andrew stepped back from royal duties. In twenty twenty two,
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he settled a civil lawsuit brought by Jeoffrey without admitting liability.
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He was stripped of his titles in twenty twenty five
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and formally became Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. Virginia Geoffrey, who died
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by suicide in twenty twenty five, accused Epstein of trafficking
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her to Andrew when she was seventeen. Andrew has repeatedly
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denied her allegations. Following Thursday's arrest, Jeoffrey's family issued a statement.
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At last today, our broken hearts have been lifted at
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the news that no one is above the law, not
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even royalty. On behalf of our sister Virginia Roberts Jeffrey,
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we extend our gratitude to the UK's Thames Valley Police
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for their investigation and arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. He
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was never a prince. For survivors, everywhere. Virginia did this
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for you. The arrest has also highlighted a sharp contrasts
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between Britain and the United States. British authorities of launch
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investigations involving multiple police forces, including Thames Valley Police and
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the Metropolitan Police. In the United States, despite public outcry
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over the same document releases, there have been few comparable
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law enforcement actions. American lawmakers have taken note. Representative Jake
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Oceancloss said Great Britain is holding its powerful and privileged
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to account. The United States of America should do the same.
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Representative Stephen Lynch described the arrest as a great contrast, adding,
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look what the British government is doing in light of
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the evidence, and look what the United States government is
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doing nothing. Representative Rogue Caanna called the moral clarity in
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Britain's response inspiring. The political fallout in Britain continues as well.
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Peter Mandelsson, former ambassador to the United States, is under
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separate investigation for alleged misconduct in public office related to
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his own dealings with Epstein. He has denied any criminal wrongdoing,
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saying previously, I want to say loudly and clearly that
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I was wrong to believe Epstein following his conviction and
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to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologize unequivocally
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for doing so to the women and girls who suffered.
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Royal historian Kate Williams described the situation as so serious,
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warning that the question is going to be asked increasingly
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what did Charles know? And I think people are going
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to start saying, what did William know. Another royal commentator,
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Sandra Minette, he said the Andrew issue has and will
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come to define King Charles' entire reign. Andrew's arrest on
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his sixty sixth birthday is being described as unprecedented in
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modern time. Dams The last senior British royal to be
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arrested was King Charles, the first in the seventeenth century,
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an episode that ended with his execution. While no one
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is suggesting such an outcome today, the symbolism is not
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lost on observers. At the time of this recording, Andrew
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Mountbatten Windsor remains in custody. No charges have been filed.
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The police investigation is active, and authorities have warned against
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prejudicial reporting. As the King put it, the law must
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take its course and for the British monarchy. That course
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now unfolds in full public view. Palace Intrigue will remain
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on a modified publishing schedule, and there you have it.
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If you'd like to emails of addresses the Palasintrigu at
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gmail dot com. I'm Mike Francis my thanks to John
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McDermott is Palas Intrigu
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00:07:22.160 --> 00:07:24.879
127
00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:27.439
128
00:07:27.519 --> 00:07:31.839
129
00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:34.240
130
00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:38.360
131
00:07:38.600 --> 00:07:41.879
132
00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:44.480
133
00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:47.839
134
00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:51.079
135
00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:55.680
136
00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:59.360
137
00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:02.279
138
00:08:02.360 --> 00:08:05.399
139
00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:09.040
140
00:08:09.079 --> 00:08:12.000
141
00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:15.480
142
00:08:15.480 --> 00:08:18.879
143
00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:22.199
144
00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:25.519
145
00:08:25.519 --> 00:08:28.959
146
00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:33.480
147
00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:38.039
148
00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:40.720
149
00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:44.000
150
00:08:44.039 --> 00:08:45.840
