LONDON (AP) — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British prince, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Thames Valley Police confirmed. The arrest comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and follows the release of documents detailing their correspondence.
The arrest of a brother of the reigning monarch is an unprecedented development in modern British history, placing further strain on the royal family. King Charles III issued a statement shortly after the news broke, stating, “Let me state clearly: the law must grab its course.” He added that he would cooperate fully with the investigation and affirmed his commitment to duty and service.
Thames Valley Police stated that a man in his 60s from Norfolk was taken into custody and remains there. While the police did not name the individual, they acknowledged the public interest in the case when asked to confirm reports that the arrest involved Mountbatten-Windsor. The force is covering areas west of London, including locations connected to the former prince.
The investigation centers on allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential trade reports with Epstein in 2010, while serving as Britain’s special envoy for international trade. These allegations surfaced following the release of documents from the U.S. Justice Department’s investigation into Epstein last month. Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright stated that the police had completed a “thorough assessment” before opening the investigation. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time,” Wright said.
Reports indicate that police searched two properties, including Wood Farm, Mountbatten-Windsor’s residence on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Images circulating online showed unmarked police vehicles and plainclothes officers at the location.
Mountbatten-Windsor was previously stripped of his royal duties in 2019 after a disastrous BBC interview in which he attempted to address his ties to Epstein. He was subsequently removed from his role as a working royal by King Charles III and asked to vacate his home near Windsor Castle. Buckingham Palace signaled its willingness to cooperate with a police inquiry into his connections with Epstein last week, a move prompted by the extensive details revealed in the U.S. Justice Department documents.
The released documents demonstrated the depth and longevity of the relationship between Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein, revealing continued correspondence even after Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea to soliciting a minor for prostitution. Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Royal expert Craig Prescott of Royal Holloway, University of London, described the arrest as “the most spectacular fall from grace for a member of the royal family in modern times.” Policing commentator Danny Shaw told the BBC that suspects are typically held for 12 to 24 hours before being charged or released pending further investigation. Shaw likewise noted that Mountbatten-Windsor, while in custody, will be held in standard conditions, with only a bed and a toilet provided.
