Prince Andrew, formally Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to police. He remains in custody as searches are conducted at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
The arrest is believed to be linked to his conduct as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, and follows the disclosure of emails related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The released documents appear to show the prince forwarding sensitive government reports and commercial information to Epstein, including details of investment opportunities in gold and uranium in Afghanistan.
King Charles III was met with mixed reactions as he arrived at an engagement in central London, with questions shouted about Andrew's arrest. He did not respond. Eluned Morgan, the first minister of Wales, expressed shock, stating that the situation is serious and now in police hands.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn described the arrest as a “very serious development”, criticising the Labour government for blocking a parliamentary debate on stripping the prince of his titles. Former first minister Humza Yousaf credited Epstein's victims, including Virginia Giuffre, for bringing scrutiny, adding that “wealth, titles and status have protected men”.
Royal commentator Peter Hunt described the arrest as “seismic”, noting that the royal family is in “uncharted waters” and ill-equipped to navigate the situation. The Prince and Princess of Wales were at Anmer Hall in Norfolk at the time of the arrest.
