Police investigations continue at the former residence of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in Berkshire following his release from custody after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former prince was detained for approximately eleven hours on Thursday before Thames Valley Police released him under investigation.
Arrest and Release Details
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the first senior royal in modern history to face arrest, was taken into custody on Thursday morning. This followed allegations emerging from files related to the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. He was held for around eleven hours at Aylsham police station in Norfolk before being released under investigation by Thames Valley Police.
Ongoing Property Searches
Thames Valley Police confirmed that searches at a property in Norfolk, specifically Andrew's home on the Sandringham Estate, have now concluded. However, searches will continue at a Berkshire address, identified as Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate, which served as Andrew's former residence.
Visual Evidence: The King's younger brother was photographed looking visibly drained and exhausted in the back of a vehicle as he departed Aylsham police station on Thursday evening. He subsequently returned to Sandringham, with his car passing by waiting journalists without stopping.
International Reaction and Allegations
Former US President Donald Trump commented on the arrest, describing it as "very sad" and detrimental to the royal family. Trump praised the King, noting he "would be coming to our country very soon" and expressed sympathy for the situation.
The arrest occurred on Andrew's 66th birthday, centering on allegations that he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK's trade envoy. Thames Valley Police reviewed these allegations after emails released by the US Department of Justice appeared to show Andrew forwarding official reports from visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore to Epstein.
Specific Email Evidence
One email from November 2010 seemed to be forwarded by Andrew just five minutes after receiving it from his then-special adviser, Amir Patel. Another email, dated Christmas Eve 2010, appeared to show Andrew sending Epstein a confidential brief regarding investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand province in Afghanistan.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein but has not directly addressed these latest allegations. It is understood that neither the King nor Buckingham Palace were informed prior to the arrest on Thursday morning.
Government and Royal Responses
The Home Secretary was reportedly alerted to the arrest shortly before Andrew was taken into custody. Thames Valley Police denied briefing the Home Office beforehand, but a statement from the National Police Chiefs' Council clarified that the NPCC followed routine practice by alerting operational colleagues within the Home Office, providing thirty minutes' notice before the arrest.
Around midday on Thursday, King Charles released a statement affirming that the police "have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation." He emphasized, "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course." The King continued with his scheduled duties, including ambassadorial audiences at St James's Palace, and did not respond to questions about his brother while arriving at an engagement in central London.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are understood to support Charles's statement. Andrew served as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 until he stepped down in 2011 amid controversy over his friendship with Epstein.
