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MANCHESTER, England (CN) — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office as officials investigate his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Unmarked police cars arrived at his home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, around 8 a.m. local time.
The arrest centers on whether the brother of King Charles III shared sensitive government documents with Epstein during his time as the United Kingdom’s special trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.
Thames Valley Police, which is leading the investigation, said officers arrested “a man in his 60s from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office” and were searching addresses in Norfolk and Berkshire.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.”
He added: “It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offense. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
Police have not detailed what material is at issue. Reports have shown emails including forwarded reports from an account of “The Duke” to Epstein after official trips in his role as trade envoy. Andrew traveled the world to promote British business interests and smooth trade deals, and would have had access to confidential material.
Misconduct in public office involves a public official abusing his position for personal or criminal gain.
Under U.K. law, officers may hold a suspect for up to 24 hours, although senior officers can extend that period to 96 hours to allow time to gather evidence such as phones, laptops, computers and paper files, as well as conduct additional questioning.
Unlike a voluntary interview under caution, the British term for formal questioning without arrest, Thursday’s action allowed police to carry out unannounced searches and seize records.
King Charles III said in a statement that “the law must take its course” and described his “deepest concern” over the matter.
“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities,” he said. “They have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation.”
Pressure grows on palace
The arrest, which came on Andrew’s 66th birthday, has intensified pressure on King Charles III and Prince William to go further in condemning the former prince’s conduct and links to Epstein.
The royal family’s media strategy is cautious and reactive, with members saying as little as possible about controversial incidents.
Andrew voluntarily gave up some military and charitable titles last October under mounting pressure. But calls for a complete break intensified after emails surfaced suggesting he had stayed in contact with Epstein after claiming to have cut ties.
Last October, King Charles III removed his brother’s remaining royal titles and evicted him from Royal Lodge in Berkshire, his longtime official residence. Police are now searching that property.
Andrew moved to a smaller house on the Sandringham estate in eastern England, part of the monarch’s private property. That residence is also being searched.
At the time of the king’s decision, the palace said in a statement the king’s and queen’s “thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
Following further accusations on Feb. 9, Prince William and Catherine issued a two-line statement through a spokesperson: “I can confirm the prince and princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
On Wednesday, Prince William gave a BBC interview about mental health. He did not mention nor was he asked about his uncle.
With each release of files in the Epstein case, pressure has mounted on the royal family to state more clearly where it stands on Andrew and whether it can go further to separate him from official life.
The king continues to provide him with accommodation and financial support, and Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne.
Calls to testify in the U.S.
Andrew has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. In 2022 he reached an out-of-court settlement worth a reported $16 million with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse when she was a minor. The settlement contained no admission of liability.
His relationship with Epstein has been widely chronicled and his name is mentioned thousands of times in the so-called Epstein files released by the U.S. government, including the emails sent to and from “The Duke.”
One 2011 email read, “we are in this together,” after an infamous picture of him with his arm around a teenaged Giuffre with Ghislaine Maxwell in the background was leaked. Andrew ended the email expressing the wish to “play some more soon.”
In a televised interview in 2019, he said he would help U.S. law enforcement in its investigation into Epstein — which he has yet to do despite repeated pleas by U.S. lawmakers.
Democratic Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez said King Charles III “should direct his brother” to travel to the United States to answer questions, while Democratic Representative Ro Khanna said the royal family had “not been transparent.”
An unprecedented royal moment
The arrest marks a rare moment in modern British history.
No senior member of the royal family in living memory has been formally arrested on criminal charges.
The closest historical parallel dates to 1649, when King Charles I was put on trial by Parliament and sentenced to death during the English Civil War.
Andrew, who is the late Queen Elizabeth II’s second son and was long seen as her favorite, now must decide whether he cooperates with the British police or refuses questioning.
Courthouse News reporter James Francis Whitehead is based in England.
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