Former Prince Andrew Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, once second in line to the British throne, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The younger brother of King Charles III was taken into custody on Thursday at his residence on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, approximately a three-hour drive from London. This dramatic event unfolded on his 66th birthday, marking a significant fall from grace for the former socialite prince.
Who Is Former Prince Andrew?
Mountbatten-Windsor is the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II. He served as a Royal Navy officer for over two decades before transitioning to royal duties in 2001. Throughout his life, he has been a frequent subject of tabloid scrutiny, with recent years bringing intense focus due to his associations with controversial figures.
Links to Late Sex Offender Jeffrey Epstein
Scrutiny intensified last year following new revelations about his friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Attention was renewed on sexual abuse allegations by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of Epstein's victims, whose posthumous memoir was published in October 2025. Giuffre alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and had sex with Mountbatten-Windsor when she was 17. An American residing in Western Australia, Giuffre tragically took her own life last year.
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied these allegations, stating he never had sex with Giuffre or committed any crimes. In 2022, a New York judge rejected his attempts to dismiss a sexual abuse civil lawsuit filed by Giuffre, leading to a settlement that same year.
His ties to Epstein reportedly began in 1999 when they were introduced through a mutual friend. The connection persisted until 2010, when Mountbatten-Windsor visited Epstein in New York after his release from prison for prostituting minors. Photographs of their walk in Central Park sparked public outrage, prompting Mountbatten-Windsor to resign from his trade envoy role.
Stepping Back from Public Duties
In 2019, Mountbatten-Windsor stepped back from public duties after a disastrous BBC TV interview. During the interview, he claimed an alleged encounter with Giuffre in London could not have occurred on the reported date because he was taking his daughter Princess Beatrice to a party at a Pizza Express restaurant in Woking. He also disputed details of Giuffre's account, such as her claim that he sweated heavily while dancing, citing a medical condition from an "overdose of adrenaline" during his service as a helicopter pilot in the 1982 Falklands War.
Stripped of Titles and Evicted from Royal Lodge
The late Queen Elizabeth II stripped Mountbatten-Windsor of his military affiliations and royal patronages in 2022 following a letter from 150 veterans expressing their "upset and anger." In 2025, King Charles III, in his second year of ruling, took further action by removing his brother's titles and honours, including the title of prince, leaving him known only as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Additionally, the former prince was evicted from his rent-free residence at Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle, where he had lived for 20 years, and relocated to Sandringham House in Norfolk in February of this year.
British Police Investigation After Epstein File Release
Documents released by the US Department of Justice in February appeared to show Mountbatten-Windsor, who served as a trade envoy from 2001 to 2011, sharing reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore with Epstein. UK government guidelines state that trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality regarding sensitive information, which continues after leaving their post. Thames Valley Police announced in February they were investigating allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor passed confidential government documents to Epstein, culminating in his arrest on Thursday.
King Charles's Response
King Charles released a statement expressing his "deepest concern" over his brother's arrest. He emphasized the importance of a full, fair, and proper investigation, stating, "the law must take its course." He assured that the royal family would cooperate fully with authorities but refrained from further comment as the process continues.
What Happens Now?
In England, misconduct in public office is a common law offence involving serious wilful abuse or neglect of public responsibilities. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, it requires a direct link between the misconduct and an abuse of power, with "wilful" meaning deliberate wrongdoing or reckless indifference. The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and is tried only on indictment.
Police can hold suspects for up to 24 hours before charging or releasing them. For serious crimes like this, the detention period can be extended to 96 hours with approvals from senior officers and a Magistrate's Court. Alternatively, suspects may be released on bail if insufficient evidence exists for charges. Mountbatten-Windsor is the first senior British royal in modern history to be arrested, marking a historic moment in the monarchy.
