Convicted rapist Russell Brand once described an awkward encounter with King Charles, then Prince of Wales, at the Pride of Britain Awards in 2010, claiming the monarch appeared to try to get away from him.
Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10 and a half years at Southwark Crown Court after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He is expected to serve two-thirds of that sentence, meaning around seven years behind bars.
An Uncomfortable Royal Meeting
Brand met the late Queen during his career, but his interaction with King Charles at the London's Grosvenor House Hotel in 2010 was notably different. The disgraced comedian recounted the moment himself, as reported by the Daily Mail's Ephraim Hardcastle.
Brand said: "I saw a moment in his eyes as we shook hands as if he realised, 'that's that mad comedian.' And he sort of tried to get away."
He added: "I had him in a bit of a grip. I was holding on, thinking 'this is my moment. I'm not letting him go just yet.' There was a moment where he was trying to recoil and I heard his wrist click a bit."
Life in Prison
Brand began his sentence at HMP Wandsworth, though it remains unclear whether the father of three will be moved to another jail specialising in housing sex offenders.
Rich Jones, a former British Army veteran who served seven years in prisons including HMP Oakwood and HMP Lowdham Grange for conspiracy to supply cocaine, offered advice on how Brand could survive his time inside.
Jones said: "I give him a few months, he will settle into life and he will just be another person on the wing. Nobody special, but if he tries to be outspoken, or articulate in there, he may just get chinned."
He stressed the importance of Brand staying occupied and securing prison employment, noting that prison staff identify talents regardless of offence. Jones added that such work would pay around £10 for a 25-hour week, and suggested Brand might fill his time with drama, writing and other creative pursuits to avoid problems.
Ongoing Investigations
The Metropolitan Police said several people contacted them during Brand's trial and after his conviction and sentencing "to provide information or report a potential criminal allegation" about the sex offender.
A Met spokesperson said: "Detectives are assessing this information as part of their ongoing enquiries."
Brand is already being investigated over rape allegations from two more women and has been interviewed under caution in connection with those allegations.
