Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest of a 66-year-old man on Thursday following allegations made against the former prince after the release of millions of pages of files related to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew is the first senior royal in modern history to be arrested.
andrew
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
The news comes as pictures circulated online appearing to show unmarked police cars attending Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with plain-clothed officers appearing to gather outside Andrew’s home on his 66th birthday.
Thames Valley Police previously said the force was reviewing allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein to have a sexual encounter with Andrew, and claims he shared sensitive information with the paedophile while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
Speaking after his brother’s arrest on Thursday morning, the British king said;
“I have learned with deepest concerns 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.
“Authorities have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation.
“The law must take its course. 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.”
Thames Valley Police, which earlier this month said it was looking into the allegations, said a man in his 60s had been arrested and was now in police custody.
“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” Thames Valley’s Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said in a statement.
“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s lies have been exposed. Photo: PA
The former prince, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth who was celebrating his 66th birthday on Thursday, has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and said he regrets their friendship.
But he has not responded to requests for comment since the latest mass release of documents by the U.S. government. There was no immediate comment from Buckingham Palace. Andrew’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Being arrested does not infer he is guilty of any crime.
A police officer at the gates at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home in Windsor (Jonathan Brady/PA)
Unmarked police cars
In accordance with British police guidelines, the force declined to name Mountbatten-Windsor but inquiries about the former prince’s case were referred to Wright’s statement.
British media also published pictures of six unmarked police cars and around eight plain-clothed officers who arrived at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in eastern England where Mountbatten-Windsor now lives.
Thames Valley Police said officers were also searching a property in Berkshire, where the royal used to live on the king’s estate until he was forced out amid anger at the Epstein revelations.
A conviction for misconduct in a public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and must be dealt with in a Crown Court, which only deals with the most serious criminal offences.
In 2022, the former prince settled a civil lawsuit brought in the United States by the late Virginia Giuffre who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager. The police investigation is not related to this or any other allegation of sexual impropriety.
The former prince was forced to quit all official royal duties in 2019 over his ties with Epstein and was then stripped by his older brother of his titles and honours last October amid further revelations about their relationship.
Police officers are stationed outside as pedestrians and vehicles approach the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former residence in Windsor Great Park, February 19, 2026 in Windsor, England. The former Prince Andrew was arrested today at his new residence on the Sandringham estate on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Epstein files
Mountbatten-Windsor had been reported to police by the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic following the release of more than 3 million pages of documents relating to Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008.
Those files suggested Mountbatten-Windsor had in 2010 forwarded to Epstein reports about Vietnam, Singapore and other places he had visited on official trips.
Thames Valley Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have previously said that they were in discussions about the case. Police said allegations of misconduct in public office, which is a ‘Common Law’ offence and so is not covered by written statute legislation, involved “particular complexities”.
Jeffrey Epstein in front of his private aeroplane. Photo: US Department of Justice
Charges
Were Mountbatten-Windsor to ultimately face criminal charges, he would join a very small group of senior British royals who have formally been accused of offences.
His elder sister Princess Anne was fined for speeding in 2001, and the following year became the first royal to be convicted of a criminal offence in 350 years when she appeared in court to plead guilty to failing to stop one of her dogs, named Dotty, biting two children.
King Charles I was tried for treason in 1649 towards the end of the English Civil War, found guilty and beheaded.
The misconduct investigation is not the only accusation against Mountbatten-Windsor into which police are looking.
Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell (US Department of Justice/PA)
Republic has also reported him over allegations he was involved in the trafficking of a woman to Britain for sex in 2010. Thames Valley Police said the force was assessing allegations that a woman had been taken to an address in Windsor, where the former prince lived until recently.
Buckingham Palace has said it was ready to support any police investigation, saying the king had expressed “profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct”.
“Their majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse,” the palace said.
A police officer at the gates at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home in Windsor (Jonathan Brady/PA)
Former British prime minister Gordon Brown has also called for a police investigation into the extent of Epstein trafficking women without proper checks by the authorities through London’s Stansted Airport, saying this had been overlooked by previous inquiries into Mountbatten-Windsor.
Essex police said on Wednesday it was looking into the issue.