Former British prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, prompting a pledge of support for authorities from King Charles III. The arrest, carried out by Thames Valley Police, follows the release of emails indicating the former Duke of York shared confidential government and commercial information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Police confirmed the arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk and announced searches at addresses in Berkshire, and Norfolk. While authorities did not name the individual, a statement indicated he was later released “under investigation.”
The investigation centers on Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct during his decade-long tenure as a UK trade envoy, a role he held from 2001 to 2011. Newly released documents suggest he forwarded official reports detailing visits to Singapore, Vietnam, and China to Epstein. According to the files, on October 7, 2010, Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly sent Epstein details of upcoming trade envoy trips to Singapore, Vietnam, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, accompanied by Epstein’s business associates. A month later, on November 30th, he reportedly forwarded official reports from those visits to Epstein just five minutes after receiving them from his special assistant, Amit Patel.
Further documents appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor sharing information regarding investment opportunities in Afghanistan with Epstein. A briefing prepared by UK officials on “high-value commercial opportunities” in Helmand province, specifically focusing on gold and uranium, was allegedly sent to Epstein in December 2010.
As a trade envoy, Mountbatten-Windsor was bound by official guidance requiring confidentiality regarding sensitive commercial and political information obtained during official visits.
King Charles III responded to the arrest with a statement expressing his “full and wholehearted support and cooperation” to the “appropriate authorities.”
Thames Valley Police stated they were assessing a complaint from the anti-monarchy group Republic regarding suspected misconduct in public office. The force confirmed it is leading the ongoing assessment of allegations related to the case.
Misconduct in public office carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment, though the offence is widely considered ill-defined and is currently undergoing review under the Public Office (Accountability) Bill before the House of Commons. The bill proposes replacing the existing offence with two recent ones, following concerns raised by legal experts and ministers.
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his association with Epstein and has previously rejected suggestions that he used his position as trade envoy for personal gain.
The police investigation remains active, and authorities have cautioned against any publication that could prejudice the ongoing inquiry.
