LONDON – Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, British police confirmed, as an investigation intensifies into allegations he shared confidential government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He was later released under investigation.
Thames Valley Police stated they arrested a man in his 60s in Norfolk, England, and conducted searches at properties in Norfolk and Berkshire. While police did not name the individual, King Charles III subsequently confirmed it was his brother in a public statement. “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” Charles said. “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.”
The arrest stems from an examination of emails released as part of the U.S. Justice Department’s ongoing release of documents related to the Epstein case. These emails reportedly show Mountbatten-Windsor passing confidential reports and information to Epstein in 2010, while serving as the UK’s trade envoy, according to reports from the BBC, The Guardian, and The Telegraph. Rules governing trade envoys prohibit the sharing of commercial or political information with unauthorized individuals and require adherence to the Official Secrets Act, ensuring the security of sensitive documents.
Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles and military affiliations by King Charles in October, has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. He settled a civil lawsuit in 2022 brought by Virginia Giuffre, alleging sexual assault, for an undisclosed sum believed to be substantial. He has remained silent regarding the latest allegations concerning the sharing of government information.
The arrest marks the first time a member of the British royal family has been arrested since 1649, when Charles I was arrested and executed for treason during the English Civil War. If convicted of misconduct in public office, Mountbatten-Windsor could face a sentence of life imprisonment, according to NBC News.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that no one is “above the law” and urged anyone with information related to Epstein to cooperate with authorities. “Anybody who has got relevant information should reach forward to whatever the relevant body is,” Starmer told the BBC. “One of the core principles in our system is that everybody is equal under the law, and nobody is above the law.”
Family members of Virginia Giuffre released a statement expressing relief at the arrest. “At last, today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty,” they said. Sigrid McCawley, an attorney who represented Giuffre, stated the arrest was “a step toward that accountability.”
Police concluded their searches Thursday evening and released Mountbatten-Windsor, stating he remains under investigation. The investigation continues, with no further immediate actions announced by Thames Valley Police.
