Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office, in a case linked to his dealings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He was taken into custody at his home, Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, by officers from Thames Valley Police. After almost 12 hours of questioning at Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk, he was released under investigation on Thursday evening.
The arrest stems from allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor shared sensitive information with Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy. Emails released by the US justice department reportedly show him sharing reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore, as well as a confidential brief on investment opportunities in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
King Charles expressed 'deepest concern' over his brother's arrest but stated that the 'law must take its course' and offered police his 'full and wholehearted support and cooperation'. The king made no direct comment on the arrest while attending London Fashion Week. Prince William and Catherine are understood to support the king's remarks.
Virginia Giuffre's family, who accused Mountbatten-Windsor of sexual abuse, said the arrest showed 'no one is above the law'. Giuffre died last year. Maria Farmer, an early Epstein survivor, called it 'the beginning of accountability'. Former US President Donald Trump described the arrest as 'a shame' and 'very sad' for the royal family.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that searches at Wood Farm and the Royal Lodge in Windsor are ongoing. The Home Office was notified 30 minutes before the arrest, but neither the king nor Buckingham Palace was informed in advance.
