Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew and brother of King Charles III, was arrested on Thursday on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, amid allegations he shared confidential information with the late Jeffrey Epstein during his time as a U.K. trade envoy.
Police arrived at Wood Farm on the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where Mountbatten-Windsor has resided since being evicted from his Windsor home, Royal Lodge, in Berkshire. Authorities conducted searches at properties in both counties.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest of a man in his 60s from Norfolk, without naming him, as is standard under British law.
“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 police statement said, People magazine reported. “The man remains in police custody at this time.”
“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time,” Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said, per NBC News. “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.”
Norfolk Police added that it was assisting the Thames Valley inquiry into the offense, which can carry a life sentence.
The case follows a February 9 complaint from the anti-monarchy group Republic, prompting Thames Valley to examine claims that Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded sensitive documents to Epstein in 2010. Emails in the correspondence, released on January 30 by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the Epstein files, included a report from his special adviser about a Southeast Asia visit. As trade envoy from 2001 to 2011, he had a duty of confidentiality that extended beyond his tenure.
Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing tied to Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting a federal sex trafficking trial.
The arrest marks a stunning escalation in the downfall of Mountbatten-Windsor. He stepped away from royal duties in November 2019 following a controversial BBC interview about his ties to Epstein.
Queen Elizabeth II removed his military titles and patronages in January 2022 amid a lawsuit from Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse when she was 17. He denied the claims and settled the case that year; Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025.
King Charles stripped his brother of his royal titles and honors in October 2025 and ordered him out of Royal Lodge earlier this month.
Buckingham Palace said on February 9 that it would cooperate if contacted by police.
“The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct. While the specific claims in question are for Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police, we stand ready to support them as you would expect,” the statement read, People magazine reported.
“As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse,” it added, referring to the king and Queen Camilla.
In a personal statement on Thursday, signed “Charles R,” the king addressed the public directly.
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. 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,” he said, per NBC News.
“In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
The Giuffre family responded to the arrest.
“Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty,” their statement said, thanking police, NBC reported. “He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.”
U.K. Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson told The Sunday Times that “nobody is above the law. It’s my job to enforce the law, and I do so without fear or favor, and that is unaffected by the status of the individual concerned.”
Royal historian Sarah Gristwood called the event unprecedented in recent history.
“I can’t think of anything like this in modern times,” she told NBC News. “It is the first age in which someone who was very recently a senior royal could be treated like any other common criminal.”
She noted that past royal imprisonments under the Tudors and Stuarts were political, and contrasted this with Princess Anne’s 2002 conviction for a dog-biting incident, in which she faced no arrest.
