In an unprecedented move, British police took Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor into custody on his 66th birthday over allegations he passed confidential government documents to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
LONDON – In a historic and staggering blow to the British monarchy, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest, which occurred on Thursday at his residence on the Sandringham Estate, marks the first time in modern history that a senior royal has been detained in a criminal investigation .
The 66-year-old was taken into custody by detectives from Thames Valley Police following the recent mass release of over 3 million pages of U.S. government documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein . The investigation centers on allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor, while serving as the UK’s special trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, shared sensitive government documents with Epstein .
Sources indicate that the evidence includes emails from 2010 where Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly forwarded official reports about trade missions to Southeast Asia—including visits to Singapore, Vietnam, and China—directly to Epstein .
A Searing Statement from the King
Just hours after the arrest, King Charles III broke the royal family’s traditional silence, issuing an unusually personal and direct statement.
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” the King said. “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 added emphatically, “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” .
Buckingham Palace confirmed that the royal family was not informed of the arrest beforehand, and that they would offer their “full and wholehearted support and co-operation” to the authorities .
The Arrest and Investigation
Mountbatten-Windsor was detained at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Media reports showed unmarked police vehicles and plain-clothed officers arriving at the property early Thursday morning . Searches were also conducted at a property in Berkshire, his former home on the Windsor Estate .
After 11 hours in custody, he was released from a police station in Norfolk. He was released “under investigation,” a legal status that means he has neither been charged nor exonerated as inquiries continue .
Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright acknowledged the gravity of the case. “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” Wright said. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time” .
Misconduct in public office is a serious common law offense that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment .
A Decades-Long Fall from Grace
The arrest is the latest chapter in a long-running scandal. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding his association with Epstein. In 2022, he settled a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager—allegations he has always denied . Giuffre died by suicide last year .
He was forced to step down from royal duties in 2019 following a disastrous BBC interview about his friendship with Epstein. Last October, King Charles stripped him of his remaining royal titles and evicted him from his home, Royal Lodge .
The Giuffre family released a statement following the arrest, saying, “At last. Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty” .
Political Ramifications
The scandal is not confined to the Palace. The Epstein files have implicated other figures in the British elite, prompting a wider review by multiple police forces . Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for a thorough investigation into Epstein’s use of London’s Stansted Airport to traffic women .
Furthermore, reports have emerged that the British government is considering introducing legislation to remove Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession, preventing him from ever becoming king . A recent YouGov poll found that 82% of British citizens believe he should be removed from the line of succession entirely .
What Happens Next
Mountbatten-Windsor remains free while the investigation continues. The arrest does not imply guilt, but it signifies that police have a reasonable suspicion and are treating the allegations with the utmost seriousness. As the legal process unfolds, the British monarchy is forced to navigate its most severe constitutional and public relations crisis in generations.
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