Activists Behind Louvre Prank Speak Out on Hanging Andrew's Arrest Photo
The mastermind behind the audacious plot to display Prince Andrew's unflattering arrest photograph in the Louvre has broken their silence, detailing how a small team of British activists managed to bypass enhanced security at the world-renowned gallery. Operating under the banner of Everybody Hates Elon, the group previously gained notoriety for shaming Jeff Bezos at his Venice wedding and destroying Teslas to provoke Elon Musk.
Security Breach and Execution
Speaking anonymously to Metro, one of the group's leaders described their surprisingly straightforward entry. "Getting through security wasn't too hard. It was normal actually," they revealed. "I guess previously, people have tried to smuggle things out of the Louvre, but I don't know if they briefed their security that people might try and smuggle things in as well."
The activist explained they concealed the framed photograph in a bag hidden beneath another picture. "We put it up but didn't hang about. We had to get out of there. It was up for about 15 minutes before they took it down. Staff were actually laughing about it initially. We all know what the French did with their monarchs."
The Iconic Photograph and Motivation
The image captured by Reuters photographer Phil Noble shows Prince Andrew being treated as a common criminal during his arrest, marking the first time in modern history a senior royal faced such treatment. "Phil absolutely smashed that one," the activist praised. "I think Andrew has sort of been trying to hide the truth for so many years."
They referenced Andrew's infamous 2019 interview with Emily Maitlis where he claimed not to sweat, adding: "He's just been trying to run from the truth for so long. And in that photo, he's still trying to hide from the truth like he's still leaning back. He believes he's not going to get seen in the picture. He won't get exposed, but he does, and that just makes the photo all the more iconic because, like, finally, he's facing a little bit of justice."
The phrase "hang it in the Louvre" inspired their action. "That just sprang to mind when we saw that Andrew photo. He's such a disgusting man, and it was just like beautiful to see him finally facing a bit of justice. And so we kind of wanted to show him how he'll be remembered."
Global Reaction and Political Context
The prank generated more than 100,000 Google search results within 24 hours, demonstrating its viral impact. "It's gone pretty bonkers around the world," the activist observed. "I think people connect to the kind of mischief it takes to hang it up. It's also schadenfreude, right? He looks so horrible in the photo; it just adds to it. By trying to hide and lean back, he's made it look so much worse. It's like the most unflattering angle you can find."
The arrest occurred on Andrew's 66th birthday, during which he was questioned for 11 hours at a police station before being released pending investigation. "Hopefully, it's just the beginning," the activist expressed. "So far, the only person who's been in prison to do with this is a woman, Ghislaine Maxwell, but obviously, most of the people in the files are men."
Broader Implications and Royal Fallout
The activist emphasized their goal of empowering ordinary people against powerful figures. "With people like Andrew, who are friends with Jeffrey Epstein and other billionaires like him, it can feel like there's nothing we can do. Like they have this divine right to rule over us, but that's all just an illusion. We hope that inspires other people to resist in whatever way that looks like for them."
Prince Andrew continues to deny any wrongdoing regarding his role as trade envoy and his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, the Louvre stunt coincided with significant political developments, as Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to Sir Keir Starmer offering the Commonwealth nation's support for removing Andrew from the royal line of succession following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office during his tenure as trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.
