Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III and formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested today on suspicion of misconduct in public office, authorities confirmed, in an extraordinary development for the British monarchy.
The arrest centers on allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential trade information with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as Britain’s special representative for international trade.
Thames Valley Police said officers arrested “a man in his 60s from Norfolk,” who remains in custody. The force, which oversees parts of Berkshire where Mountbatten-Windsor previously resided, declined to identify the individual but referred to its public statement when pressed about the case. Searches are underway at properties in both Berkshire and Norfolk, according to The Associated Press.
The inquiry follows the release of documents by the U.S. Justice Department tied to Epstein. The files, made public last month under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, include correspondence indicating that Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded sensitive reports on trade and investment opportunities — including in Asia and Southeast Asia — to Epstein around 2010.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said that after a detailed review of the material, investigators opened a formal probe into the potential offense of misconduct in public office. He acknowledged the intense public interest in the matter and said further updates would be provided when appropriate.
Mountbatten-Windsor, who marked his 66th birthday today, has consistently denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. The financier died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. He had previously been convicted in Florida for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
The arrest of a close relative of the reigning sovereign represents a rare and jarring moment for the monarchy. Royal commentator Craig Prescott characterized the episode as one of the steepest falls from grace for a senior royal in modern times.
King Charles III moved quickly to address the situation, issuing a public statement that read: “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.” He added that it would be inappropriate to comment further while the matter is ongoing and said Buckingham Palace would cooperate fully with authorities. The king also reiterated his family’s commitment to public service.
Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to Epstein have long cast a shadow over the royal household. In 2019, the late Queen Elizabeth II required him to step back from official duties after a widely criticized television interview addressing the relationship. More recently, King Charles stripped him of the use of the title “His Royal Highness” and ordered him to vacate his residence near Windsor Castle, prompting his relocation to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
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