Former Prince Andrew arrested, released in misconduct probe

Former Prince Andrew arrested and released

King Charles’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested and released under investigation for misconduct in public office. He is the first senior British royal in modern history to face arrest.

Thames Valley Police arrested the former prince on Thursday, his 66th birthday. He was questioned about his links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The allegations involve leaked trade reports

Police are investigating allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential government information with Epstein. He had access to the material during his decade-long role as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

In January, the US Department of Justice released over three million Epstein-related documents. This included emails suggesting the former prince shared official reports from a 2010 Southeast Asia trade trip with the financier.

“The fact that the former royal is in custody represents quite a stunning turn of events for the royal family,” said Al Jazeera’s Camille Nedelec from London.

What is misconduct in public office?

The Crown Prosecution Service describes the offence as a serious, wilful abuse of the power or responsibilities of a public office. It applies when an office holder's misconduct is so severe it abuses the public's trust.

In this case, the public office in question is his former role as a trade envoy. His former title of prince is not relevant to the investigation.

A conviction carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, though sentences can be shorter depending on the case's severity.

A long association with Jeffrey Epstein

The former prince’s association with Epstein has been scrutinized for years. He said he met the financier through socialite Ghislaine Maxwell.

The connection drew intense scrutiny after accuser Virginia Giuffre alleged in 2014 that she was trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell and forced to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor when she was 17. He has consistently denied the allegation.

• 2019: Gave a widely criticized BBC interview denying wrongdoing.
• 2021: Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit against him in New York.
• 2022: The case was settled out of court, with Mountbatten-Windsor making a financial settlement but admitting no liability. He was also stripped of his military titles.

Police conclude searches, investigation continues

Thames Valley Police confirmed late Thursday that Mountbatten-Windsor was released under investigation. Searches at a property in Norfolk, where he now lives, have concluded.

Two police forces are involved. Thames Valley Police leads the investigation because his former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, is in its jurisdiction. Norfolk Police are assisting as he now lives at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate.

King Charles had asked his brother to leave the Windsor property on February 2.

Reactions from the family and the palace

In a statement, King Charles said he learned of the arrest “with the deepest concern.” He stated that the law must take its course and promised the royal family’s “full and wholehearted support” for the investigation.

Giuffre’s family released a statement responding to the arrest. “At last, today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty,” her siblings said. “He was never a prince.”

The arrest marks a dramatic fall for a man once considered a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II. His military career included 22 years in the Royal Navy and combat service in the Falklands War.