Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested on Thursda, February 19, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following revelations contained in the Jeffrey Epstein files.
The arrest came on his 66th birthday and follows calls from an anti-royal group for police to investigate documents suggesting that Andrew may have shared confidential government information with the late American financier while serving as a British trade envoy.
Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles due to his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has long denied any wrongdoing related to his association with Epstein. However, concerns over his relationship with Epstein have shadowed the royal family for more than a decade. The arrest of a monarch’s sibling is unprecedented in modern times and is expected to put added scrutiny on the crown.
King Charles III, Andrew’s older brother, emphasized that the law must take its course. He sought to reassure the public, stating that he remains committed to serving the nation amid the ongoing investigation.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that a man in his 60s from Norfolk, eastern England, was taken into custody. While the force did not name the suspect, citing standard procedures, it confirmed that the arrest was linked to their earlier assessment of reports that Andrew had allegedly sent confidential trade documents to Epstein in 2010. At that time, Andrew was acting as Britain’s special envoy for international trade.
Read Also: King Charles Strips Prince Andrew of All Royal Titles and Honours; Orders Eviction from Royal Lodge
“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” said Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
The arrest comes after images circulated online showing unmarked police vehicles outside Mountbatten-Windsor’s residence at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with plainclothes officers reportedly gathering outside. Earlier this month, he relocated to Charles’ Norfolk estate after being evicted from his longtime home near Windsor Castle.
This investigation follows the release of millions of pages of documents from the U.S. Justice Department’s probe into Epstein, some of which allege that Andrew shared sensitive government information with the convicted financier.
