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Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office following revelations in newly released Jeffrey Epstein files that allege the former royal shared confidential British government information with the late American sex offender.
The arrest of the 66-year-old — King Charles III’s younger brother — came on his birthday and follows calls by an anti-monarchy group for police to investigate documents indicating Andrew passed sensitive trade and investment briefings to Epstein while serving as a U.K. trade envoy.
Andrew was detained for several hours and later released under investigation, police said, as inquiries continue.
What led to the arrest
Thames Valley Police confirmed that the arrest stemmed from material contained in the latest tranche of Epstein-related documents released by the U.S. Justice Department last month.
Those records include email exchanges that appear to show Andrew forwarding confidential reports he received in his official capacity to Epstein in 2010 and 2011, when the royal was acting as Britain’s special representative for international trade and investment.
In one exchange dated Nov. 30, 2010, Andrew forwarded official briefing documents on visits to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam — originally sent to him by his adviser — to Epstein minutes after receiving them. In another, Andrew shared what he described as “a confidential brief” concerning potential investment opportunities in southern Afghanistan, then an active British military theater.
Andrew wrote that he was seeking Epstein’s “comments, views or ideas as to whom I could also usefully show this to attract some interest.”
Misconduct in public office is a serious criminal offense in Britain and can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if charges are eventually brought.
Police activity and investigation status
In a statement, Thames Valley Police said it arrested “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” and carried out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. Police did not name Andrew, in line with British procedure, but confirmed later that the man had been released under investigation without restrictions.
Reuters reported that officers were seen at Wood Farm, Andrew’s current residence on the Sandringham estate, and at Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate, his former home.
Police said the Home Office was notified 30 minutes before the arrest, describing the move as routine given Andrew’s former public role.
King Charles and political reaction
In a statement released Thursday, King Charles said he had learned of the arrest “with the deepest concern.”
“The law must take its course,” the king said, adding that the royal family would cooperate fully with authorities but would not comment further during the investigation.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the matter was for police, emphasizing that “nobody is above the law.”
Asked for comment, President Donald Trump called the arrest “very sad” and said it was “so bad for the royal family.”
Epstein ties and survivor reaction
Andrew has long faced scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein and allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who said she was trafficked to have sex with him while underage. Andrew denied the accusations but reached a financial settlement with Giuffre in 2022. Giuffre died by suicide last year.
Her family welcomed the arrest.
“At last, today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty,” Giuffre’s siblings said in a statement. “For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.”
Previously disputed claims surrounding a photograph of Andrew with Giuffre and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell were also revisited in the document release. A draft email attributed to Maxwell appears to confirm the authenticity of the image, contradicting earlier denials.
Broader implications
The Andrew revelations mirror similar disclosures involving former British ambassador Peter Mandelson, who is also under investigation for allegedly sharing confidential information with Epstein.
Together, the cases have intensified scrutiny of Epstein’s influence over elite political and royal figures — and raised questions about national security breaches extending far beyond sexual misconduct allegations.
For Andrew, the arrest marks the most serious legal escalation yet in a scandal that has already cost him royal titles, public duties and his standing within the monarchy.
