Prince Andrew Arrested Over Suspected Misconduct in Public Office
London – Former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office following revelations stemming from the Jeffrey Epstein files. The arrest occurred on his 66th birthday, approximately two weeks after an anti-royal organization called for police investigation into documents suggesting Andrew shared confidential government information with the late American sex offender during his time as a British trade envoy.
Thames Valley Police confirmed just over a week ago that they were assessing claims against Mountbatten-Windsor that emerged in the latest release of Epstein files by the U.S. Justice Department to determine whether a formal investigation was warranted. In a statement released Thursday, the Thames Valley Police confirmed that, “as part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.” The statement added that the man, who was not named in accordance with police procedures, “remains in police custody at this time.”
Shortly after 8 a.m. Local time (3 a.m. Eastern), six unmarked police vehicles were observed arriving at Wood Farm, Andrew’s current residence on King Charles III’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England. Reuters reported later that police were also present Thursday at Royal Lodge, Mountbatten-Windsor’s former residence on the royal family’s Windsor estate near London.
The arrest does not relate to allegations concerning his treatment of women or his relationship with Virginia Roberts Giuffre, the focus of much scrutiny over the past decade. Instead, the investigation centers on suspected misconduct in public office, specifically allegations that he leaked confidential information while serving as a trade envoy. He is accused of sharing this information to benefit a friend, Jeffrey Epstein.
This means police are likely examining not only the Epstein files released by the U.S. Justice Department but also potentially British government files and conducting interviews with government officials to ascertain how the confidential information was utilized. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could face further revelations as the investigation progresses.
The claims against Andrew, based on documents that only emerged in the last three weeks, are not simply about his private conduct. They concern integrity in public office – and whether he betrayed the trust of the British public. This is a serious allegation against a member of the royal family, and it is expected that Andrew will be required to address the claims publicly. So far, his response to the latest Epstein files has been silence, a position he will likely find unsustainable.
King Charles III has indicated his support for a “full, fair and proper process” regarding the investigation of his brother, according to reports.
If Andrew is charged with misconduct in public office, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison in Britain. This is a dramatic moment for the media and a sobering one for the royal family. The scandal surrounding Andrew is distinct from past royal crises. The death of Princess Diana in 1997 was a tragedy, while the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936 was a crisis of succession, but neither constituted a scandal of this nature.
A significant aspect of the concern surrounding Andrew’s behavior involves the alleged exploitation of women within Epstein’s network, but it also encompasses issues of money and power. The fundamental question remains whether Andrew abused his princely position for personal gain.
