Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew and younger brother of King Charles III, was arrested on Thursday at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate. It’s his 66th birthday.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest of a man in his 60s from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office, a crime that can carry a life sentence. Officers are searching properties linked to him in Berkshire and Norfolk, including Royal Lodge and Wood Farm. He remains in custody, and legal experts expect the investigation to be lengthy and complex.
This is the first time a senior royal, even one stripped of titles, has been arrested in a criminal investigation.
Police have not named the suspect, but all details match Mountbatten-Windsor.
The unprecedented nature of the arrest is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the monarchy and public trust.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “We have opened an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office. We understand the significant public interest and will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
The investigation began after the Department of Justice released documents in January as part of the Epstein files. Emails from 2010 show Mountbatten-Windsor, then the U.K.’s special representative for international trade and investment, forwarding confidential government reports to Jeffrey Epstein shortly after receiving them.
The role gave him access to sensitive information about international business and diplomatic strategy.
One set of emails includes reports on trips to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, which he sent to Epstein within minutes of receiving them from his adviser.
In another, Mountbatten-Windsor shared a confidential brief about Afghanistan investment prospects and asked Epstein for advice. The anti-monarchy group Republic released these documents two weeks ago, prompting Thames Valley Police to begin a formal investigation on Feb. 16. The group has called for greater transparency and accountability in royal dealings, reflecting growing public scrutiny of the monarchy.
This charge concerns only the alleged sharing of sensitive official material with a convicted sex offender, not the separate sexual misconduct allegations long linked to Mountbatten-Windsor.
The Epstein scandal has shadowed Andrew for over a decade.
The former prince met Epstein through Ghislaine Maxwell in the late 1990s and they remained friends even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. A 2010 photo showed them together in New York’s Central Park, a moment that drew widespread criticism and media attention.
Virginia Giuffre, who was 17, later alleged Epstein and Maxwell trafficked her to Andrew on three occasions. He has always denied these claims, but the accusations have continued to affect his public image.
The infamous 2001 photo of Andrew with Giuffre at Maxwell’s London home became a symbol of the scandal.
Andrew’s 2019 BBC interview, where he claimed he could not sweat and expressed no regret over the friendship, led to his withdrawal from public duties. Giuffre sued in 2021; the case was settled out of court in 2022 for a reported 12 million pounds, with no admission of liability.
After Epstein’s 2019 death and Maxwell’s 2021 conviction, pressure increased.
In 2025, King Charles stripped Andrew of all remaining royal titles and honors, and he was evicted from Royal Lodge. These actions marked a dramatic shift in the royal family’s approach to scandal. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025, at age 41, a loss that sparked renewed discussion about the trauma faced by victims.
The arrest has brought strong reactions.
King Charles expressed “deepest concern,” saying the law must take its course and pledging the family’s full cooperation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, “Nobody is above the law.”
Giuffre’s siblings welcomed the arrest, thanking Thames Valley Police. Many public figures and commentators have weighed in, with some calling for further reforms to royal accountability.
Royal commentator Roya Nikkhah called it historic: “The king’s brother has been arrested… the first senior royal ever arrested.”
Mountbatten-Windsor has not commented publicly. He is entitled to the presumption of innocence. The investigation continues.
The case raises questions about accountability, royal privilege, and the ongoing impact of the Epstein network.
As the legal process continues, Britain watches a former royal face the same justice system as any citizen.
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