Breaking News English Lesson: Royal Families

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UK mulls removing former Prince Andrew from line to become king (23rd February 2026)

The Reading / Listening - Royal Families - Level 6

The biggest constitutional crisis for almost a century is enveloping the British monarchy. The former Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an offence that can carry a sentence of life imprisonment. On Thursday, he was held in custody for nearly 11 hours. UK police are investigating allegations that Andrew shared confidential trade information with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew was a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. The British government is now considering removing him from the line of succession to the throne. Andrew is currently eighth in line to be the monarch. This can only be changed with new legislation.

In 1936, the former King Edward VIII abdicated. The UK government passed a law to recognize the abdication and to declare that Edward had ceased to be king. A similar law could affect Andrew, who has been mired in controversy regarding his association with Epstein. Subsequent scandals resulted in Andrew being formally stripped of his title of prince last year by his brother King Charles III. This meant Andrew can no longer be called "Prince Andrew", nor can he use his other royal titles. He is now known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He has yet to comment on the allegations of misconduct, but has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his connection with Epstein.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Royal Families - Level 4 or Royal Families - Level 5

Sources

https://www.npr.org/2026/02/20/g-s1-110915/uk-former-prince-andrew-epstein-investigation
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1kgv837wvdo
https://royalcentral.co.uk/royal-news/succession-andrew-out-216839/

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. ROYAL FAMILIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about royal families. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
constitution / crises / monarchy / misconduct / life imprisonment / trade / legislation /
king / government / controversy / scandals / title / royal / wrongdoing / allegations
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. MONARCHY: Students A strongly believe monarchies are a great thing; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. BEING A PRINCE(SS): How would being a prince/princess affect the things in the table? What would you do if you were a royal? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Being a Prince/Princess	Me
The law
Shopping
Housing
Travel
Privacy
Security

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. KING: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "king". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. FAME: Rank these with your partner. Put the most interesting way of being famous at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Prince/Princess
Bestselling writer
Sports superstar
Top influencer
President/Prime minister
Singing superstar
Top movie star
Tech/AI CEO

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	constitutional	a.	Covering something completely.
2.	enveloping	b.	Because people think someone may have done something wrong.
3.	monarchy	c.	The order of people who will become king or queen.
4.	on suspicion of	d.	A country that has a king or queen as the head of state.
5.	sentence	e.	Kept by the police and not allowed to leave.
6.	held in custody	f.	Connected to the basic laws of a country.
7.	line of succession	g.	A punishment given by a court.

Paragraph 2

8.	abdication	h.	Stopped.
9.	ceased	i.	Deeply involved in something bad or difficult.
10.	mired in	j.	Bad or wrong behaviour.
11.	controversy	k.	Taken away from someone.
12.	stripped	l.	Strong disagreement or public argument.
13.	allegations	m.	When a king or queen chooses to stop being king or queen.
14.	misconduct	n.	Statements that say someone did something wrong, but it is not yet proven.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

Andrew's arrest is the biggest royal crisis for more than 100 years. T / F
There is a possibility Andrew could spend the rest of his life in prison. T / F
There are allegations that Andrew shared secret trade information. T / F
Andrew is currently third in line to the British throne. T / F
In 1936, the then UK king stepped down from his role. T / F
Andrew's brother King Charles III took away his title of prince. T / F
Andrew has many other royal titles he can still use. T / F
Andrew spoke to the press about why he was arrested. T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

crisis
misconduct
offence
envoy
legislation
abdicated
subsequent
stripped
allegations
denied

claims
ambassador
laws
deprived
critical point
repudiated
stood down
wrongdoing
later
crime

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

The biggest constitutional crisis for
arrested on suspicion of misconduct
an offence that can carry a sentence
Andrew is currently eighth in
This can only be changed
In 1936, the former
mired
formally stripped of his
He has yet to comment on the
consistently denied any

of life imprisonment
allegations of misconduct
with new legislation
wrongdoing
almost a century
in controversy
title of prince
line to be the monarch
King Edward VIII abdicated
in public office

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

confidential
currently
suspicion
line
crisis
custody
monarchy
envoy

The biggest constitutional (1) _________________________________ for almost a century is enveloping the British (2) _________________________________. The former Prince Andrew was arrested on (3) _________________________________ of misconduct in public office, an offence that can carry a sentence of life imprisonment. On Thursday, he was held in (4) _________________________________ for nearly 11 hours. UK police are investigating allegations that Andrew shared (5) _________________________________ trade information with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew was a UK trade (6) _________________________________ between 2001 and 2011. The British government is now considering removing him from the (7) _________________________________ of succession to the throne. Andrew is (8) _________________________________ eighth in line to be the monarch. This can only be changed with new legislation.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

title
declare
scandals
abdicated
comment
mired
wrongdoing
titles

In 1936, the former King Edward VIII (9) _________________________________. The UK government passed a law to recognize the abdication and to (10) _________________________________ that Edward had ceased to be king. A similar law could affect Andrew, who has been (11) _________________________________ in controversy regarding his association with Epstein. Subsequent (12) _________________________________ resulted in Andrew being formally stripped of his (13) _________________________________ of Prince last year by his brother King Charles III. This meant Andrew can no longer be called "Prince Andrew", nor can he use his other royal (14) _________________________________. He is now known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He has yet to (15) _________________________________ on the allegations of misconduct, but has consistently denied any (16) _________________________________ in his connection with Epstein.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The biggest constitutional crisis for almost a century is enveloping ______
     a. the British monarch
     b. the British monarchial
     c. the British monarchist
     d. the British monarchy
2) misconduct in public office, an offence that can carry a sentence ______
     a. of life in prison meant
     b. of life imprison meant
     c. of life imprison mint
     d. of life imprisonment
3) On Thursday, he was held in custody for ______
     a. nearly 11 hours
     b. near the 11 hours
     c. nearly 11 hourly
     d. really 11 hours
4) now considering removing him from the line of succession ______
     a. to the throng
     b. to the throne
     c. to the thong
     d. to the thrown
5) Andrew is currently eighth in line to ______
     a. been the monarch
     b. be the monastic
     c. be the monarch
     d. be the moan knack

6) The UK government passed a law to ______
     a. recognize the ab dictation
     b. recognize the ab diction
     c. recognize the addiction
     d. recognize the abdication
7) A similar law could affect Andrew, who has been ______
     a. mired in controversial
     b. mired in controversy
     c. mired on controversy
     d. mailed in controversy
8) Subsequent scandals resulted in Andrew being formally ______
     a. striped of his title
     b. stripped of his title
     c. strapped of his title
     d. stippled of his title
9) Andrew can no longer be called "Prince Andrew", nor can he use his ______
     a. other royal titles
     b. another royal titles
     c. others royal titles
     d. othered royal titles
10) comment on the allegations of misconduct, but has consistently ______
     a. defied any wrongdoing
     b. defiled any wrongdoing
     c. decried any wrongdoing
     d. denied any wrongdoing

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The biggest constitutional crisis for (1) _______________________________________________ is enveloping the British monarchy. The former Prince Andrew was arrested on (2) _______________________________________________ in public office, an offence that can carry a sentence of life imprisonment. On Thursday, he was (3) _______________________________________________ for nearly 11 hours. UK police are investigating allegations that Andrew (4) _______________________________________________ information with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew was a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. The British government is now considering removing him from the line (5) _______________________________________________ the throne. Andrew is currently eighth in line to be the monarch. This can only be changed (6) _______________________________________________.

In 1936, the former King Edward VIII abdicated. The UK government passed a law to (7) _______________________________________________ and to declare that Edward had ceased to be king. A similar law could affect Andrew, who has (8) _______________________________________________ controversy regarding his association with Epstein. Subsequent scandals resulted in Andrew (9) _______________________________________________ of his title of prince last year by his brother King Charles III. This meant Andrew can no longer be called "Prince Andrew", nor can he use his (10) _______________________________________________. He is now known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He has (11) _______________________________________________ on the allegations of misconduct, but has consistently (12) _______________________________________________ in his connection with Epstein.

Comprehension questions

What is a constitutional crisis enveloping?
What is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor suspected of?
What is a possible sentence if Andrew is found guilty?
When was Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor a trade envoy?
Where on the line of succession to the UK throne is Andrew?
When did the former King Edward VIII abdicate?
What has Andrew been mired in?
Who stripped Andrew of his title of prince?
What can Andrew not use besides the title of prince?
What has Andrew not yet commented on?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is a constitutional crisis enveloping?
a) websites
b) the UK press
c) world news
d) the British monarchy
2) What is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor suspected of?
a) many things
b) misconduct in public office
c) impersonating a prince
d) a secret offence
3) What is a possible sentence if Andrew is found guilty?
a) a suspended prison sentence
b) a million-dollar fine
c) community service
d) life imprisonment
4) When was Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor a trade envoy?
a) 2003 and 2012
b) 2002 and 2012
c) 2001 and 2011
d) 2000 and 2011
5) Where on the line of succession to the UK throne is Andrew?
a) second
b) third
c) fifth
d) eighth

6) When did the former King Edward VIII abdicate?
a) 1916
b) 1926
c) 1936
d) 1946
7) What has Andrew been mired in?
a) controversy
b) red tape
c) gossip
d) debt
8) Who stripped Andrew of his title of prince?
a) a panel of royal experts
b) the UK Prime Minister
c) King Charles III
d) the UK police
9) What can Andrew not use besides the title of prince?
a) Buckingham Palace business cards
b) other royal titles
c) the use of bodyguards
d) the royal Rolls Royce
10) What has Andrew not yet commented on?
a) the allegations of misconduct
b) his role as a former prince
c) his future
d) the police

Role play

Role A – Prince/Princess
You think being a prince/princess is the most interesting way of being famous. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): sports superstar, top influencer or president.

Role B – Sports Superstar
You think being a sports superstar is the most interesting way of being famous. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): prince/princess, top influencer or president.

Role C – Top Influencer
You think being a top influencer is the most interesting way of being famous. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): sports superstar, prince/princess or president.

Role D – President
You think being president is the most interesting way of being famous. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): sports superstar, top influencer or prince/princess.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'prince'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'king'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.

• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

•Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

biggest

suspicion

sentence

shared

now

new

passed

similar

resulted

longer

simply

consistently

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Royal Families

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'prince'?
What do you know about the British monarchy?
What do you know about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor?
Do you think a royal should be able to be arrested?
What would it be like to be sentenced to prison for life?
Should Andrew be removed from the British line of succession?
What would it be like to be a prince?
Should princes and princesses only be in fairy stories?
What advice do you have for Andrew?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'king'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think of the idea of royal families?
Should Britons be proud of their royal family?
What controversies have there been in your country recently?
What scandals are going on in your country?
Would you like to be a royal?
What should happen to Andrew from now?
What questions would you like to ask Andrew?

Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

The biggest constitutional (1) ____ for almost a century is enveloping the British monarchy. The former Prince Andrew was arrested (2) ____ suspicion of misconduct in public office, an offence that can carry a sentence of life imprisonment. On Thursday, he was held (3) ____ custody for nearly 11 hours. UK police are investigating allegations that Andrew shared confidential (4) ____ information with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew was a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. The British government is now considering (5) ____ him from the line of succession to the throne. Andrew is currently eighth (6) ____ line to be the monarch. This can only be changed with new legislation.

In 1936, the former King Edward VIII abdicated. The UK government (7) ____ a law to recognize the abdication and to declare that Edward had ceased to be king. A similar law could affect Andrew, who has been (8) ____ in controversy regarding his association with Epstein. Subsequent scandals resulted in Andrew (9) ____ formally stripped of his title of Prince last year by his brother King Charles III. This meant Andrew can no (10) ____ be called "Prince Andrew", nor can he use his other royal titles. He is now known (11) ____ as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He has yet to comment on the allegations of misconduct, but has consistently denied any (12) ____ in his connection with Epstein.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) critic (b) crisis (c) crises (d) critics
(a) at (b) on (c) in (d) by
(a) at (b) on (c) in (d) by
(a) trade (b) tirade (c) tardy (d) trad
(a) remove (b) removing (c) removal (d) removes
(a) at (b) on (c) in (d) by
(a) parsed (b) pasted (c) passed (d) past
(a) admired (b) marred (c) mired (d) mad
(a) get (b) be (c) been (d) being
(a) lengthen (b) longings (c) longing (d) longer
(a) simply (b) simple (c) simpleton (d) simples
(a) wrong-footed (b) wrong-head (c) wrongdoing (d) wrongun

Spelling

Paragraph 1

The biggest uttsalciontnoi crisis for almost a century
enveloping the British aromchyn
on inusioscp of misconduct in public office
UK police are investigating oelganiltsa
removing him from the line of isscuosnec
This can only be changed with new nolaiseglti

Paragraph 2

the former King Edward VIII cdbdaetai
Edward had aecsed to be king
rdime in controversy
regarding his tosiasincoa
usneqeusbt scandals
denied any rioowngdng

Put the text back together

(    )   a sentence of life imprisonment. On Thursday, he was held in custody for nearly 11 hours. UK police are investigating
(    )   affect Andrew, who has been mired in controversy regarding his association with Epstein. Subsequent scandals
(    )   allegations that Andrew shared confidential trade information with the late convicted sex
(    )   Andrew can no longer be called "Prince Andrew", nor can he use his other royal titles. He is now known simply
(    )   as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He has yet to comment on the allegations of
(    )   considering removing him from the line of succession to the throne. Andrew is currently eighth in
(    )   In 1936, the former King Edward VIII abdicated. The UK government passed a law to
(    )   line to be king. This can only be changed with new legislation.
(    )   misconduct, but has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his connection with Epstein.
(    )   monarchy. The former Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an offence that can carry
(    )   offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew was a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. The British government is now
(    )   recognize the abdication and to declare that Edward had ceased to be king. A similar law could
(    )   resulted in Andrew being formally stripped of his title of prince last year by his brother King Charles III. This meant
( 1 )   The biggest constitutional crisis for almost a century is enveloping the British

Put the words in the right order

a almost biggest century . constitutional crisis for The
Arrested in misconduct of office . on public suspicion
a An imprisonment . life offence of sentence with
Allegations confidential he information shared that trade information .
Andrew's be currently eighth in line monarch . the to
be ceased Declare Edward had king . that to
association . been controversy He's his in mired regarding his
can he his Nor other royal titles . use
allegations . comment has He on the yet to
any consistently denied He has wrongdoing .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The biggest constitutional crises / crisis for almost a century is enveloping the British monarchy / monarch. The former Prince Andrew was arrested in / on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an offence that can carry a sentence of live / life imprisonment. On Thursday, he was held in / at custody for nearly 11 hours. UK police are investigating allegations that / what Andrew shared confidential trade information with the late / later convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew was a UK trade / traded envoy between 2001 and 2011. The British government is now considered / considering removing him from the line of succession to the throne. Andrew is currently eighth on / in line to be the monarch. This can only be changed with new legislation.

In 1936, the former King Edward VIII admonished / abdicated. The UK government passed a law to recognize the abdication and to declare that Edward had seized / ceased to be king. A similar law could affect / effect Andrew, who has been hired / mired in controversy regarding his association with Epstein. Subsequent scandals resulted in Andrew being formally stripped / striped of his title of prince last year by his brother King Charles III. This meant Andrew can no / not longer be called "Prince Andrew", nor can he use his other royally / royal titles. He is now known simple / simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He has yet to comment in / on the allegations of misconduct, but has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his connection / connects with Epstein.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

Th_ b_gg_st c_nst_t_t__n_l cr_s_s f_r _lm_st _ c_nt_ry _s _nv_l_p_ng th_ Br_t_sh m_n_rchy. Th_ f_rm_r Pr_nc_ _ndr_w w_s _rr_st_d _n s_sp_c__n _f m_sc_nd_ct _n p_bl_c _ff_c_, _n _ff_nc_ th_t c_n c_rry _ s_nt_nc_ _f l_f_ _mpr_s_nm_nt. _n Th_rsd_y, h_ w_s h_ld _n c_st_dy f_r n__rly 11 h__rs. _K p_l_c_ _r_ _nv_st_g_t_ng _ll_g_t__ns th_t _ndr_w sh_r_d c_nf_d_nt__l tr_d_ _nf_rm_t__n w_th th_ l_t_ c_nv_ct_d s_x _ff_nd_r J_ffr_y _pst__n. _ndr_w w_s _ _K tr_d_ _nv_y b_tw__n 2001 _nd 2011. Th_ Br_t_sh g_v_rnm_nt _s n_w c_ns_d_r_ng r_m_v_ng h_m fr_m th_ l_n_ _f s_cc_ss__n t_ th_ thr_n_. _ndr_w _s c_rr_ntly __ghth _n l_n_ t_ b_ th_ m_n_rch. Th_s c_n _nly b_ ch_ng_d w_th n_w l_g_sl_t__n.

_n 1936, th_ f_rm_r K_ng _dw_rd V___ _bd_c_t_d. Th_ _K g_v_rnm_nt p_ss_d _ l_w t_ r_c_gn_z_ th_ _bd_c_t__n _nd t_ d_cl_r_ th_t _dw_rd h_d c__s_d t_ b_ k_ng. _ s_m_l_r l_w c__ld _ff_ct _ndr_w, wh_ h_s b__n m_r_d _n c_ntr_v_rsy r_g_rd_ng h_s _ss_c__t__n w_th _pst__n. S_bs_q__nt sc_nd_ls r_s_lt_d _n _ndr_w b__ng f_rm_lly str_pp_d _f h_s t_tl_ _f pr_nc_ l_st y__r by h_s br_th_r K_ng Ch_rl_s ___. Th_s m__nt _ndr_w c_n n_ l_ng_r b_ c_ll_d "Pr_nc_ _ndr_w", n_r c_n h_ _s_ h_s _th_r r_y_l t_tl_s. H_ _s n_w kn_wn s_mply _s _ndr_w M__ntb_tt_n-W_nds_r. H_ h_s y_t t_ c_mm_nt _n th_ _ll_g_t__ns _f m_sc_nd_ct, b_t h_s c_ns_st_ntly d_n__d _ny wr_ngd__ng _n h_s c_nn_ct__n w_th _pst__n.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the biggest constitutional crisis for almost a century is enveloping the british monarchy the former prince andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office an offence that can carry a sentence of life imprisonment on thursday he was held in custody for nearly 11 hours uk police are investigating allegations that andrew shared confidential trade information with the late convicted sex offender jeffrey epstein andrew was a uk trade envoy between 2001 and 2011 the british government is now considering removing him from the line of succession to the throne andrew is currently eighth in line to be the monarch this can only be changed with new legislation

in 1936 the former king edward viii abdicated the uk government passed a law to recognize the abdication and to declare that edward had ceased to be king a similar law could affect andrew who has been mired in controversy regarding his association with epstein subsequent scandals resulted in andrew being formally stripped of his title of prince last year by his brother king charles iii this meant andrew can no longer be called prince andrew nor can he use his other royal titles he is now known simply as andrew mountbattenwindsor he has yet to comment on the allegations of misconduct but has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his connection with epstein

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

ThebiggestconstitutionalcrisisforalmostacenturyisenvelopingtheBri
tishmonarchy.TheformerPrinceAndrewwasarrestedonsuspicionofmi
sconductinpublicoffice,anoffencethatcancarryasentenceoflifeimpris
onment.OnThursday,hewasheldincustodyfornearly11hours.UKpolic
eareinvestigatingallegationsthatAndrewsharedconfidentialtradeinf
ormationwiththelateconvictedsexoffenderJeffreyEpstein.Andrewwa
saUKtradeenvoybetween2001and2011.TheBritishgovernmentisno
wconsideringremovinghimfromthelineofsuccessiontothethrone.An
drewiscurrentlyeighthinlinetobethemonarch.Thiscanonlybechange
dwithnewlegislation.In1936,theformerKingEdwardVIIIabdicated.T
heUKgovernmentpassedalawtorecognizetheabdicationandtodeclar
ethatEdwardhadceasedtobeking.AsimilarlawcouldaffectAndrew,wh
ohasbeenmiredincontroversyregardinghisassociationwithEpstein.S
ubsequentscandalsresultedinAndrewbeingformallystrippedofhistitl
eofPrincelastyearbyhisbrotherKingCharlesIII.ThismeantAndrewcan
nolongerbecalled"PrinceAndrew",norcanheusehisotherroyaltitles.H
eisnowknownsimplyasAndrewMountbatten-Windsor.Hehasyettoco
mmentontheallegationsofmisconduct,buthasconsistentlydeniedany
wrongdoinginhisconnectionwithEpstein.

Free writing

Write about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

There is no need for a royal family in the 21st century. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. ROYAL FAMILIES: Make a poster about royal families. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. REPUBLICS: Write a magazine article about turning all of the world's monarchies into republics. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on royal families. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on monarchies. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

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Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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