Closing summary
We are pausing our live coverage of the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, at his home on the Sandringham estate – the first arrest of a senior member of the royal family in modern history.
Here’s a brief recap of a shocking and dramatic day that could have profound ramifications for the royal family.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office by police investigating the former prince’s dealings with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Photographs showed unmarked police cars and plainclothes officers at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate at about 8am (GMT). They searched the Norfolk property as well as his former home in the Royal Lodge in Great Windsor Park.
Police had been assessing allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor shared sensitive information with Epstein when he was a UK trade envoy. The allegations stem from documents released by the US justice department relating to Epstein and his links to the rich and powerful. Emails released appeared to show Mountbatten-Windsor sharing reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore. Another email appeared to send Epstein a confidential brief on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing or accusations against him, but has not directly responded to these latest allegations.
He was released under investigation on Thursday evening and Thames Valley police said searches in Norfolk had concluded. He was pictured in the back of a car being driven away from the police station shortly after 7pm (GMT). Police searches at his former address, the Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, are continuing.
King Charles expressed his “deepest concern” over the arrest of his younger brother but said the “law must take its course” and police had his “full and wholehearted support and cooperation”. The king did not respond to questions about Andrew’s arrest as he attended an event to mark the start of London Fashion Week.
Prince William and Catherine are understood to support the king’s remarks.
Virginia Giuffre’s family said in a statement that Andrew’s arrest showed “no one is above the law”. They said: “On behalf of our sister, we extend our gratitude to the UK’s Thames Valley police in their investigation and arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.” Giuffre, who died last year, accused Mountbatten-Windsor of sexually abusing her when she was 17 as part of a sex trafficking ring run by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell – allegations the former prince has denied.
Maria Farmer, the first known survivor to report Epstein and Maxwell to law enforcement, issued this statement: “Today is just the beginning of accountability and justice brought forth by Virginia Roberts Giuffre — a young mother who adored her daughter so deeply, she fought the most powerful on earth to protect her. She did this for everyone’s daughters. Let’s now demand all the dominos of power and corruption begin to fall.”
Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Andrew’s arrest was “a shame” and “a very sad thing”. “I think it’s very sad. I think it’s so bad for the Royal family. It’s very, very sad,” he said. “To me, it’s a very sad thing. Trump said King Charles, who is “obviously coming to our country very soon”, was “a fantastic man”. Trump went on to say that “it’s really interesting because nobody used to speak about Epstein when he was alive, but now they speak.” He added: “But I’m the one that can talk about it because [I have] been totally exonerated. I did nothing.”
The National Police Chiefs’ Council said that the Home Office was alerted by Thames Valley police 30 minutes before they made the arrest “in line with routine practice”.
It is understood neither the king nor Buckingham Palace was informed in advance of Andrew’s arrest.
Thames Valley police said in a statement on Thursday evening: “On Thursday we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrested man has now been released under investigation.”
The CPS said their lawyers have spoken to detectives from Thames Valley police investigating the king’s brother, but are yet to give formal early investigative advice.
Updated
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has clarified a statement they gave earlier on Thursday to the Guardian about their involvement with the investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The CPS is the official organisation that authorises prosecutions in England and Wales.
The CPS said their lawyers have spoken to detectives from Thames Valley police investigating the king’s brother, but are yet to give formal early investigative advice.
