Former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested by British police on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This unprecedented move marks the first arrest of a senior British royal in nearly four centuries, reflecting a significant erosion of the traditional deference afforded to the monarchy.
King Charles III issued an unusual public statement regarding his brother’s arrest:
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter.”
The Thames Valley Police, covering areas west of London including Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, confirmed that a man in his 60s from Norfolk was in custody. The arrest follows the release of millions of pages of documents from a U.S. investigation into Epstein, which reportedly show that Mountbatten-Windsor sent trade reports to Epstein in 2010 while serving as Britain’s special envoy for international trade.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright stated:
“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office. We understand the significant public interest in this case and will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
Police searches were also conducted at two properties, including Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate, where plainclothes officers were observed.
The allegations under investigation are separate from those made by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was trafficked to Britain to have sex with Andrew in 2001; Giuffre tragically passed away last year. Her family welcomed the arrest, saying it sent a clear message that “no one is above the law, not even royalty.”
Royal expert Craig Prescott described the arrest as:
“the most spectacular fall from grace for a member of the royal family in modern times,” likening it in severity to Edward VIII’s abdication crisis.
The arrest comes amid wider scrutiny of Epstein-related activities in the U.K., including investigations into other high-profile figures. Documents suggest Epstein may have trafficked women via his private jet, raising concerns about possible British connections.
Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, has consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. However, released emails indicate ongoing contact in 2010, including Epstein arranging dates with young women and Mountbatten-Windsor sending trade reports from Southeast Asia. These documents contradicted claims that he had severed ties with Epstein after 2008.
Andrew will be held in a standard police custody suite, with limited amenities, pending questioning. Under U.K. law, suspects are usually held 12–24 hours, with the maximum possible detention being 96 hours under special extensions.
This historic arrest signals a profound shift in the accountability of British royalty and underscores the growing influence of legal oversight over traditional privilege.
