Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, was released Thursday after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, authorities said.
Why it matters: The second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II now becomes the most prominent associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to face criminal consequences for his dealings with the disgraced financier.
- Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied wrongdoing in connection with his relationship with Epstein.
- In the latest round of Epstein files, however, emails showed he may have forwarded confidential trade documents to Epstein, an allegation police cited in a statement about his arrest.
What they're saying: Trump, claiming he had personally been "totally exonerated," told reporters when asked about Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest that it was "a shame."
- "I think it's so bad for the royal family," he said Thursday. "It's very, very sad."
Zoom out: "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," King Charles III wrote in a Thursday statement following the arrest. He said the authorities have his "full and wholehearted support and co-operation."
- Thames Valley Police, who identified their arrested suspect as "a man in his sixties from Norfolk," said authorities concluded their search in Norfolk by Thursday afternoon ET. Searches in Berkshire were still ongoing.
Driving the news: The Department of Justice's (DOJ) latest trove of Epstein files include photos that show Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over a woman lying on the floor. Her face is redacted.
- Other newly uncovered documents suggest the ex-prince may have shared confidential information with Epstein about his official work as trade envoy for the U.K. in 2010 and 2011.
- These were among a raft of revelations that spurred resignations and departures across the business world and European politics in recent weeks.
Catch up quick: In 2019, Mountbatten-Windsor stepped back from his royal duties because his Epstein association was a "major disruption" to his family's work.
- The U.S. DOJ in 2020 formally requested an interview with Mountbatten-Windsor as part of its criminal investigation into Epstein.
- Charles formally stripped his brother of royal and nobility titles last year over his ties to Epstein. He was also evicted from the royal estate in Windsor.
Flashback: In 2022, Mountbatten-Windsor settled a lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre that alleged Epstein had arranged for the then-prince to sexually abuse and rape Giuffre when she was 17.
- Mountbatten-Windsor previously lost a bid to have the lawsuit dismissed. Giuffre, who became the most outspoken Epstein survivor, died last year at 41.
- Giuffre's family released a statement following the arrest thanking the U.K.'s Thames Valley Police for their investigation. "He was never a prince," they said. "For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you."
What we're watching: Vice President JD Vance said earlier this month that he would "certainly be open" to Mountbatten-Windsor testifying before Congress in its Epstein probes.
Go deeper: Epstein files end business, political careers across globe
Editor's note: This story has been updated with news of Mountbatten-Windsor's release, remarks from President Trump and more details from police.
