London — Former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to Thames Valley Police. The arrest comes after revelations stemming from the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files, prompting a new investigation into his conduct even as serving as a British trade envoy.
The 66-year-old was taken into custody at Wood Farm, his residence on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England, with police also conducting searches at the Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate, Reuters reported. He was subsequently released under investigation, meaning he is free to travel without restrictions while the inquiry continues.
The arrest occurred just over a week after Thames Valley Police confirmed they were assessing claims against Mountbatten-Windsor that emerged from the latest release of documents by the U.S. Justice Department. The allegations center on whether he shared confidential government information with the late Jeffrey Epstein.
King Charles III’s office has not commented directly on the arrest, but sources indicate the monarch is deeply concerned by the situation. A statement released by Buckingham Palace on Thursday conveyed the King’s “deepest concern” and affirmed his support for a “full and proper legal process,” according to reports.
The unfolding situation has reportedly caused concern within the royal family, particularly for Prince William and Princess Kate, who are said to be worried about the King’s well-being following the arrest of his brother. Prince William acknowledged he was “not in a calm state” during a recent appearance at the Baftas, signaling the emotional toll the situation is taking on the family, according to royal commentators.
The arrest echoes a similar period of crisis for the royal family in 2019, following Prince Andrew’s disastrous interview with Emily Maitlis on the BBC’s Newsnight program. At that time, Queen Elizabeth II continued with her public duties, presenting an award to Sir David Attenborough shortly after her son announced he would step back from public life, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining a sense of normalcy, royal editor Emily Nash noted.
The current situation is unfolding against a backdrop of shifting public sentiment towards the monarchy, Nash added, suggesting the late Queen’s ability to navigate such crises may be more hard to replicate in the current climate.
The investigation remains ongoing and the outcome could have significant implications for the future of Mountbatten-Windsor and the reputation of the monarchy. No further details regarding the specifics of the allegations or the timeline of the investigation have been released by Thames Valley Police.
