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.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council has given this statement:
In line with routine practice, the National Police Chiefs’ Council alerted operational colleagues within the Home Office of the arrest.
This gave 30 minutes’ notice before Thames Valley Police made the arrest.
The BBC earlier reported that the Home Office was given advance notice from Thames Valley Police of Andrew’s arrest.
Further to that, over in the US the top Democrat on the House oversight committee, Robert Garcia, earlier called Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest “an enormous step forward in our fight to secure justice” for Jeffrey Epstein’s survivors.
In November, oversight Democrats called for the former prince to sit for questioning as part of their ongoing investigation into the handling of the Epstein case. “Britain is now holding him accountable with this arrest. Now it’s time for the United States to end this White House cover-up,” Garcia said in a statement.
Other Democratic members of Congress welcomed the news of Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, and how it might impact accountability stateside.
“Even princes are not above the law,” said congressman Ro Khanna, who led the effort to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act. “But why isn’t more being done here? We should start with Howard Lutnick resigning,” he added, referring to Donald Trump’s commerce secretary – who admitted that he visited Epstein on his private island in 2012, four years after the disgraced financier was convicted on state charges of soliciting prostitution. This, despite Lutnick’s claims that he was no longer in touch with Epstein after 2005.
Trump calls Andrew's arrest 'a very sad thing'
Donald Trump has given his reaction to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest in the past hour telling reporters on Air Force One:
I’m the expert in a way because I’ve been totally exonerated so I can speak about it …
I think it’s a shame. I think it’s very sad. I think it’s so bad for the royal family. It’s very, very sad. To me, it’s a very sad thing. When I see that, it’s a very sad thing …
To see that and to see everything that’s going on with his brother, who is coming to our country very soon, the king … so I think it’s a very sad thing.
King Charles is due to visit the US in April.
Speaking about himself, Trump repeated that he is the one that “can talk about it” because he is “totally exonerated”. He added:
I did nothing.
Mountbatten-Windsor was pictured leaving police custody earlier this evening after he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
His arrest follows the US justice department’s release of millions of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which revealed that Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly shared confidential information with Epstein during his time as a British trade envoy.
Updated
'Today is just the beginning': First known Epstein survivor speaks on Andrew's arrest
Maria Farmer, the first known survivor to report Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to law enforcement, has issued a statement in response to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
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.
The news of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest on Thursday morning may come as surprise to many but the British royal family has long been mired by controversy. From illegal gambling, motoring offences and even execution, these are just a handful of the many royal run-ins with the law.
Charles I
The last time a member of the British royal family was arrested was more than 350 years ago. Charles I was taken prisoner in 1647, after his defeat in the English civil war by parliamentary forces. The monarch was a firm believer in the divine right of kings and led a tyrannical reign, refusing to recognise the authority of parliament when it came to matters of governance and religious practices in England and Scotland. He was put on trial and found guilty of high treason, charges which he denied by claiming that no court had jurisdiction over the monarch’s God-given power.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been pictured being driven home to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. He was arrested earlier today on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations he sent confidential government documents to Jeffrey Epstein.
He was arrested on his 66th birthday following allegations that he shared reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore with the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier.
He has denied any wrongdoing over his links to Epstein, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.
After serving for 22 years in the Royal Navy, Andrew became the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment in 2001.
He stepped down in 2011 amid the furore over his friendship with Epstein.
Updated
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor 'released under investigation', police say
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released under investigation following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Thames Valley police said.
The force said in a statement: “Thames Valley Police is able to provide an update in relation to an investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office.
“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.
“We can also confirm that our searches in Norfolk have now concluded.”
Police searches at his former address, the Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, are ongoing.
Updated
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor released from police station
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been seen leaving a police station in a car after almost 12 hours of questioning by police in Norfolk.
He was photographed in the back seat leaving Aylsham Police station on Thursday evening.
Andrew was arrested this morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Police have not given any further information at this point.
Updated
Virginia Giuffre’s brother and sister-in-law told the BBC’s Newsnight they “celebrated” upon hearing that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Giuffre, who took her own life in April 2025 aged 41, previously alleged Mountbatten-Windsor had sex with her three times as a teenager.
Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied the claim and reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022 which contained no admission of liability or apology.
Amanda Roberts, who is married to Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts, told the BBC: “We are hopeful that this investigation now starts to open up that further probe into the sexual assault allegations... it is still a win.”
Sky Roberts also told Newsnight he would “continue to commend” the King “for the actions he’s taken”.
“It doesn’t matter your wealth or your power, you don’t have a separate set of laws that applies to you... I think we’re seeing that in the UK right now.”
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could testify remotely in the US Congress Epstein investigation, according to a Democrat who has led calls for the former duke to face questions under oath about his relationship with the disgraced financier.
Suhas Subramanyam, a member of the US House’s oversight committee, told Sky News: “He can testify remotely. He can testify in person in the UK.”
Subramanyam added: “You know, we are going to New York to meet with the Clintons, for instance.
“We just came from Ohio to meet with [billionaire retail mogul] Les Wexner. And the entire committee doesn’t have to come. You can be certain members who are interested in that particular witness.”
Why has the police said so little about the arrest?
Following a suspect’s arrest, police in England and Wales limit the information they release to the public under guidance which is meant to ensure a fair trial and protect a suspect’s privacy.
While forces rarely formally name an arrested person, they often confirm through back channels their identity, especially if it is deemed to be in the public interest.
Under the College of Police’s national guidance, suspects should not be identified until they have been “charged” - when prosecutors decide that there is a case to answer.
This explains why Thames Valley police released a statement saying: “We have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The man remains in police custody at this time. We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance.”
After arrest, a case is considered “active” under the Contempt of Court Act, a law which is meant to ensure that public statements or articles do not prejudice future legal proceedings.
Updated
It was shortly after 8am on Thursday when a small fleet of unmarked police cars drew up at Wood Farm on the king’s private Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Plainclothes officers stepped out into the late winter drizzle and readied themselves for a historic act that the royal family might have been expecting and dreading for weeks. Inside the house, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was perhaps sitting down to a birthday breakfast.
On 19 February 1960 the Queen Elizabeth II gave birth to her third – and some say favourite and most indulged – child at Buckingham Palace. Exactly 66 years later, Andrew – no longer a prince, and ostracised by many members of his family – was about to face the ignominy of being arrested and taken into police custody.
It was, said Maj Gen Alastair Bruce, a historian and royal watcher for Sky News, the “most shocking day for the British crown, to have a former prince of the blood arrested”. The arrest was “about as critical as the institution could face”, he said.
Other commentators described the arrest as extraordinary, unprecedented, spectacular and a body blow.
Here are some more photos this evening from the locations police have been searching in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as well as Buckingham Palace:
Updated
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office by police investigating his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein.
Six unmarked police cars carrying plainclothes officers arrived at the Sandringham estate while the former prince was celebrating his 66th birthday on Thursday.
Officers searched the Norfolk property as well as Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home at the Royal Lodge in Great Windsor Park.
Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian journalist David Pegg.
Updated
What is the Royal Lodge and where is it?
Police have been searching the Royal Lodge estate, a few miles south of Windsor Castle, this morning.
It is a Grade II-listed building built originally in the mid-1600s before being developed significantly in the 18th and 19th centuries.
It became a royal accommodation in the early 1800s and had been used by Andrew since 2004, until he moved out earlier this month.
It was known the former prince would be moving out of Royal Lodge in the new year and so the development was not thought to be linked to the latest revelations in the Epstein papers.
Updated
A fine art transportation company van and multiple police vehicles have now left the grounds of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former Berkshire residence.
Thames Valley Police have been searching the Royal Lodge estate, a few miles south of Windsor castle, since Thursday morning.
At around 4pm, a dark blue Gander and White van was seen leaving the outer gates of the Windsor Great Park, which surrounds the Royal Lodge estate, PA reported.
Gander and White describes itself as “one of the world’s leading fine art logistics companies, providing art storage, transport, installation and customs services”.
Two large police vans with tinted windows, each carrying several uniformed officers, were also seen leaving the property.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) website, misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
It describes the offence as “a common law offence that can be tried only on indictment” and “concerns serious wilful abuse or neglect of the power or responsibilities of the public office held”.
The CPS guidance continues:
There must be a direct link between the misconduct and an abuse of those powers or responsibilities.
The Court of Appeal has made it clear that the offence should be strictly confined, and it can raise complex and sometimes sensitive issues.
Updated
Which police forces are investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to the UK and why?
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday morning after years of mounting controversy over his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Claims against the former prince have long been in the public domain. However, the recent release of the Epstein files has led to a number of UK police forces saying they are examining a variety of issues linked to Mountbatten-Windsor.
He has always denied claims of any wrongdoing.
Nine police forces are looking into Epstein’s links to UK, including those relating to Mountbatten-Windsor.
The day so far
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office by police investigating the former prince’s dealings with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He is expected to be interviewed under criminal caution by detectives over the allegations of misconduct in public office. Police will have to decide whether Mountbatten-Windsor should be detained overnight, and whether to charge him with a criminal offence, release him while their inquiries continue, or take no further action.
Photographs of unmarked police cars and plainclothes officers at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate were published on Thursday morning.
Prosecutors are yet to give advice to the Thames Valley police investigation that today led to the king’s brother being arrested for misconduct in public office. The crown prosecution service authorises criminal charges in England and Wales and a spokesperson confirmed it was yet to give advice to detectives.
King Charles expressed his “deepest concern” over the arrest of his younger brother but added that the “law must take its course” and police had his “full and wholehearted support and cooperation”.
King Charles was met with a mix of shouts and cheers while arriving at an engagement in the Strand area of central London, the PA news agency reported.
Virginia Giuffre’s family said in a statement that Andrew’s arrest showed that “no one is above the law”. They added: “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.”
A statement from Thames Valley police said: “We have today arrested a man in his 60s from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The man remains in police custody at this time.”
The arrest came as Mountbatten-Windsor celebrated his 66th birthday at home.
Police had been assessing allegations that the former prince shared sensitive information with Epstein when he was a UK trade envoy.
A Democrat member of the US House Oversight Committee, who has previously called for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to sit for a transcribed interview under oath in front of Congress, has said he hopes the arrest will “show that there will be accountability”.
Suhas Subramanyam said in a statement:
He appears repeatedly in the documents we have uncovered as having knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and is specifically named by victims as someone who engaged in wrongdoing.
Yet he has continued to ignore our calls to cooperate with the Oversight Committee’s investigation.
We hope today’s arrest will lead to answers and show that there will be accountability even if you hide, regardless of how rich and powerful you are.
Prosecutors are yet to give advice to the Thames Valley police investigation that today led to the king’s brother being arrested for misconduct in public office.
The crown prosecution service authorises criminal charges in England and Wales and a spokesperson confirmed it was yet to give advice to detectives.
What could happen next?
The longest the former prince can be held is 96 hours, but this would require extensions from senior police officers and a magistrates court. In most cases, suspects are held for 12 or 24 hours and are then either charged or released pending further investigation.
If taken to a police station, Andrew will probably be placed in a cell in a custody suite, where he will wait until his police interview. Police will be able to access computer equipment, files and photographs, and can carry out searches of any premises he owns or occupies, or any other premises he controls.
Updated
King Charles was met with a mix of shouts and cheers while arriving at an engagement in the Strand area of central London, the PA news agency reported.
Several people crowding the streets let out cries of “ohh” as the king’s car pulled up.
As he entered the building, questions about Andrew’s arrest were shouted. He did not respond.
Updated
Eluned Morgan, the first minister of Wales, said she was “shocked” by the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
She said: “I think we’ve all been shocked by what’s been happening and, clearly, now there’s been an arrest, and it’s in police hands, so I can’t comment further, but it’s a serious situation.
“But everybody should be treated the same.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales were staying at Anmer Hall, their home on the Norfolk estate, at the time of the arrest, according to the Times.
Anmer Hall is about five miles from Mountbatten-Windsor’s Wood Farm residence.
Pictures: Police activity ongoing at royal estates in Sandringham and Windsor
What has Andrew been arrested for?
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He remains in custody – though his whereabouts are unclear – as police search addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
The arrest appears related to his conduct as a UK trade envoy and follows the disclosure of emails related to Epstein.
Among the files released by the US Department of Justice were documents that appeared to show the former prince forwarding sensitive government documents and commercial information to the convicted sex offender.
In 2010, he appears to have forwarded government reports from visits to Vietnam, Singapore and China to Epstein, according to the recently published files.
The documents also appeared to show that Andrew forwarded Epstein information on investment opportunities in gold and uranium in Afghanistan.
Andrew served as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. Under official guidance, trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive, commercial or political information about their official visits.
Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein and rejected any suggestion he used his time as trade envoy to further his own interests.
The SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn described the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a “very serious development”.
The SNP MP said:
It underlines why it was a bad misjudgment for Keir Starmer to block Parliament from debating action against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as recently as October.
The former prince should have been stripped of his titles and roles as quickly as possible - it was a mistake for the Labour government to delay action.
Meanwhile, also in Scotland, the former first minister Humza Yousaf credited the victims of Jeffrey Epstein - including Virginia Giuffre - for bringing “scrutiny”.
Writing on X, Yousaf said:
Due process matters but so does accountability. For far too long, wealth, titles and status have protected men.
It is down to the bravery of Epstein’s victims, like Virginia Giuffre, that there is some scrutiny on those who associated with him. Let’s hope there’s also justice.
The King has carried on with his duties as monarch in the wake of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.
Charles continued with his planned ambassadorial in-person audiences at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
He was pictured welcoming the ambassador of El Salvador Francisco Lima Mena as part of a series of audiences at the royal residence.
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is “seismic” and has left senior royals in “uncharted waters”, a royal commentator has told the Press Association.
Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the royal family was facing a situation that it was “ill-equipped to navigate”.
He said:
The arrest of the eighth in line to the British throne is seismic.
Senior royals are now in uncharted waters that they are ill-equipped to navigate.
They will have to answer questions about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and be held accountable, something which, up until now, has been an alien concept for them.
Updated
Responding to news of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, former prime minister Gordon Brown said:
I have submitted a five-page memorandum to the Metropolitan, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley and other relevant UK police constabularies.
This memorandum provides new and additional information to that which I submitted last week to the Met, Essex and Thames Valley police forces where I expressed my concern that we secure justice for trafficked girls and women.
The Scottish first minister John Swinney has spoken on the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Speaking to media in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, he said:
The announcement in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor obviously relates to a live case and I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment upon that.
Following his arrest this morning, it is expected that the King’s brother will be interviewed under criminal caution by detectives over the allegations of misconduct in public office.
Police will have to decide whether Mountbatten-Windsor is detained overnight, whether they have enough to charge him with a criminal offence, whether they decide to take no further action, or whether they release him while their inquiries continue.
Police searches of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home at the Royal Lodge, in Windsor, are ongoing.
Officers can be seen at the gates of the sprawling property, while the press are being kept at an outer entrance.
A police spokesperson at the scene confirmed that the search is ongoing within the property.
Walkers and families are continuing to walk through the surrounding Windsor Great Park.
Prince and Princess of Wales 'support the King's statement', PA reports
The Prince and Princess of Wales support the King’s statement following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the Press Association understands.
King Charles had said “the law must take its course” after expressing his “deepest concern” over the arrest of his younger brother (see post 12.05).
Deputy prime minister David Lammy has said “nobody in this country is above the law” and that the police investigation “must happen in the usual way”.
Speaking to BBC News at the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi, he said:
As justice secretary - and as the prime minister has said - nobody in this country is above the law.
And this is now a police investigation and that must happen in the usual way.
Police did not give King advance notice of Mountbatten-Windsor arrest, reports PA
The Press Association is reporting that neither King Charles nor Buckingham Palace was informed in advance of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.
Charles said earlier today that it was with “deepest concern” he had learnt about the arrest of his younger brother, the former Prince Andrew.
Updated
King Charles: Police 'have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation'
King Charles has said “the law must take its course” after expressing his “deepest concern” over the arrest of his younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
In a statement, the monarch said:
I have learned with the deepest concern the 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 and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.
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.
Updated
The Queen has arrived for an engagement in Westminster just hours after police confirmed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Wearing a velvet, navy coat, Camilla was greeted by representatives of Sinfonia Smith Square where she will attend a lunchtime orchestral concert, PA reports.
Updated
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest comes days after Buckingham Palace said it would “stand ready to support” the police if approached over the claims made against him.
A spokesman for the Palace added that the King had made clear his “profound concern” over Andrew’s alleged conduct.
The King’s brother is effectively no longer a royal, becoming a commoner after he was stripped by the monarch of both his right to be a prince and his dukedom late last year over his association with Epstein.
He does, however, remain in the line of succession - he is eighth in line to the throne, having gradually moved down after being born second in line.
Giuffre family: Mountbatten-Windsor arrest proves 'no one is above the law'
Virginia Giuffre’s family have this morning said in a statement that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest shows that “no one is above the law”.
Giuffre was one of the most prominent victims of the disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein who also alleged she had been sexually trafficked to Prince Andrew.
She took her own life in April 2025, aged 41.
The statement reads:
At last, today our broken hearts have been lifted with the news that no one is above the law – not even royalty.
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.
He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.
What is misconduct in public office and what is the punishment?
According to the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) website, misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
It describes the offence as “a common law offence that can be tried only on indictment” and “concerns serious wilful abuse or neglect of the power or responsibilities of the public office held”.
Providing its own update on the investigation into Epstein and his associates in the UK, the CPS said:
We are in close contact with the Metropolitan Police Service and Thames Valley Police regarding high-profile individuals.
We remain ready to support any police investigations if needed.
Meanwhile, Norfolk Constabulary has told BBC News that it is “supporting a Thames Valley Police investigation into misconduct in a public office”.
Updated
Before the arrest was announced, the prime minister told BBC Breakfast “nobody is above the law” when asked about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Keir Starmer added:
Anybody who has any information should testify.
So whether it’s Andrew or anybody else, anybody who has got relevant information should come forward to whatever the relevant body is, in this particular case we’re talking about Epstein, but there are plenty of other cases.
The partial release of the Epstein files by the US government has shifted the focus back to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in recent months.
Last October, amid growing anxiety within the royal household about the reputational risk to the monarchy caused by headlines concerning his friendship with Epstein, Buckingham Palace announced it would strip him of his royal titles.
It was also announced the former duke, who still remains eighth in line to the throne, would move out of the Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Updated
The anti-monarchy pressure group Republic has welcomed the news of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, it said in a statement this morning.
Republic’s CEO Graham Smith said the arrest was “likely influenced by Republic’s pursuit of a private prosecution”, which saw it provide Thames Valley Police with a crime report.
Smith said:
Make no mistake, this is a result of Republic’s action. We reported Andrew to the police when others were unwilling to act. Republic has been instigating a private prosecution when the police were reluctant to investigate.
Republic’s lawyers will continue to investigate related alleged offences and provide information to the police over the coming weeks and months.
He added:
The police must follow all evidence wherever it leads.
In the meantime, Charles and William need to speak up and admit to whatever they have known.
A poll carried out by the group earlier this month showed support for the monarchy at 45%, with a third of respondents preferring an elected head of state.
You would have to go as far back as King Charles I to find the last senior member of the British royal family arrested prior to today’s developments.
Charles was arrested in 1647 during the English Civil War by forces aligned with parliament, including the New Model Army.
He was detained and later tried for high treason after refusing to accept limits on royal authority, leading to his execution in 1649.
Andrew’s sister Princess Anne – who is scheduled to visit a prison in Leeds today – was convicted and fined under the Dangerous Dogs Act in 2002 after her dog bit two children. However, she was not arrested in relation to the offence.
Mountbatten-Windsor first senior royal in modern history to be arrested
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is the first senior royal in modern history to be arrested.
The police raid follows emails released by the US Department of Justice that appeared to show the former duke sharing reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.
One email, dated November 2010, appeared to be forwarded by Mountbatten-Windsor five minutes after being sent by his then-special adviser Amir Patel.
Another, on Christmas Eve 2010, appeared to send Epstein a confidential brief on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand province, Afghanistan.
What we know so far
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office by police investigating the former prince’s dealings with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Photographs of unmarked police cars and plainclothes officers at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate just after 8am were published on Thursday.
A statement from Thames Valley police said: “We have today (19/2) arrested a man in his 60s from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The man remains in police custody at this time.”
The arrest came as Mountbatten-Windsor celebrated his 66th birthday at home.
Police had been assessing allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor – formerly known as Prince Andrew – shared sensitive information with the billionaire child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when he was a UK trade envoy.
Oliver Wright, Thames Valley Police’s assistant chief constable, said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.”
Updated
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest was carried out as he was celebrating his 66th birthday.
The arrest came after pictures circulated online appearing to show unmarked police cars attending Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, with plainclothes officers appearing to gather outside his home.
Photos show police raiding Royal Family's Sandringham estate in Norfolk
Here are some of the first pictures that show police arriving at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Wood Farm residence, on the Royal Family’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Police can be seen talking after turning up in unmarked police cars.
Police open investigation into misconduct in public office
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is in custody after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Searches are being carried out at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk, Thames Valley Police said.
Here is the statement in full:
As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
The man remains in police custody at this time.
We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: ‘Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
‘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.’
Updated
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested at Sandringham home
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Photographs of unmarked police cars and plainclothes officers at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate just after 8am were published on Thursday. A statement from Thames Valley police said: “We have today (19/2) arrested a man in his 60s from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
“The man remains in police custody at this time.”
Police have been assessing allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor – formerly known as Prince Andrew – shared sensitive information with the billionaire child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when he was a UK trade envoy.
