Former royal Prince Andrew has been arrested on the morning of his 66th birthday, as police carried out searches at properties linked to him in Sandringham and Windsor.
NEED TO KNOW
- Police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday, Feb. 19.
- He was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
- Thames Valley Police confirmed it is investigating a complaint alleging he shared confidential information related to his former role as a U.K. trade envoy with Jeffrey Epstein.
- Buckingham Palace said on Feb. 9 that it would cooperate with any police inquiry.
Officers arrived early Thursday morning at the residence where Mountbatten-Windsor is staying on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, owned by King Charles III. Several police vehicles were photographed near Wood Farm as the arrest took place.
According to the BBC, the 66-year-old was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office. In a statement, Thames Valley Police said: “As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The man remains in police custody at this time.” Authorities declined to name the individual.
The investigation follows a complaint alleging that, while serving as the U.K.’s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 to 2011, Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential documents with Epstein. The complaint was reportedly submitted by the anti-monarchy group Republic after emails between the two men were released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Epstein, an American financier and convicted sex offender, died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in connection with his association with Epstein.
In a statement issued earlier this month, Buckingham Palace said the King had expressed “profound concern” regarding the allegations and that the royal household would support law enforcement if approached.
Mountbatten-Windsor stepped back from public duties in 2019 following a widely criticized interview about his ties to Epstein. In 2022, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, he was stripped of his military titles and patronages. He later reached an out-of-court settlement in a civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, while continuing to deny the allegations against him.
King Charles has spoken of his “deepest concern” following the arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, at Sandringham on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The 66 year old was detained at Wood Farm on Thursday morning after at least six unmarked Thames Valley Police vehicles arrived at the property. The arrest comes amid an ongoing assessment by the force into claims that Andrew shared confidential information with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
Emails recently released by the US Department of Justice, reportedly among millions of documents made public, appear to show the former duke discussing details of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.
In a statement issued after the arrest, the King said police would receive the family’s “full and wholehearted support and co operation”, adding: “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”
Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
