Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, younger brother of King Charles III, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The former senior royal was taken into custody on Thursday morning, his 66th birthday, following the arrival of vehicles believed to be unmarked police cars at the Sandringham Estate, where he has been residing since stepping back from royal duties.
According to a statement issued by Thames Valley Police and reported by BBC News, officers arrested “a man in his 60s from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office” and are conducting searches at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk.
“We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance,” the police statement read. “Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.”
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright confirmed that a formal investigation had been opened after a thorough assessment of the allegations. “It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offense,” he stated, acknowledging the significant public interest surrounding the case.
Epstein Ties Resurface
Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest comes amid renewed scrutiny following the release of millions of pages of documents — widely referred to as the “Epstein files” — by the U.S. Department of Justice earlier this month.
The documents again spotlighted his long-standing association with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The former prince had previously admitted to maintaining contact with Epstein even after the latter’s 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution.
He was also linked to allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was trafficked and forced to have sexual relations with him as a teenager — allegations he has consistently denied. In 2022, he reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre without any admission of liability or formal apology. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025.
Royal Fallout
Mountbatten-Windsor had already faced significant consequences over his relationship with Epstein. He was stripped of his royal titles and patronages and withdrew from public duties, effectively ending his formal role within the monarchy.
Earlier this month, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales issued a statement expressing concern over the ongoing revelations tied to the Epstein documents.
“I can confirm the Prince and Princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations,” a spokesperson said, adding that their thoughts remain with the victims.
Investigation Ongoing
As of press time, Mountbatten-Windsor remains in police custody while investigations continue. Authorities have emphasized that the case is active and urged restraint in public commentary to avoid prejudicing legal proceedings.
