LONDON: British police searched two royal residences on Friday after the arrest of King Charles’ younger brother, ex-prince Andrew, over allegations that he sent confidential government documents to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew, whose full name is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on Thursday — his 66th birthday — on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
He was released later that evening after being held for more than 10 hours. Police said he had been released “under investigation” and had not been charged.
A Reuters photograph showed Andrew sitting in the back of a car after his release from a police station in Aylsham, eastern England.
He appeared visibly shaken, his eyes red, as photographers gathered outside.
Searches at Sandringham and Windsor
Officers from Thames Valley Police carried out searches at Wood Farm on the king’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where Andrew now resides.
Six unmarked police cars and around eight plain-clothed officers were seen at the property early on Thursday, according to media reports and witnesses.
Police also searched a mansion on the Windsor estate west of London, where Andrew had lived before being asked to vacate the residence amid controversy over his links to Epstein.
In a statement issued late Thursday, Thames Valley Police said the searches at Sandringham had concluded, while inquiries at Windsor were continuing.
The force said: “A man in his sixties from Norfolk has been arrested and remains in police custody. As per national guidance we will not name the arrested man.”
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said the force had opened an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office following a “thorough assessment”.
“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time,” he said.
Allegations over official documents
Earlier this month, Thames Valley Police confirmed it was examining claims that Andrew passed official documents to Epstein while serving as the government’s Special Representative for Trade and Investment.
According to files released by the US government, Andrew allegedly forwarded reports in 2010 concerning investment opportunities in Afghanistan and assessments of Vietnam, Singapore and other countries he had visited on official trips.
The current police investigation is not related to previous allegations of sexual misconduct.
Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has said he regrets their friendship.
His office did not respond to requests for comment. Buckingham Palace also declined immediate comment.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor.
He died by suicide in a US jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
King Charles: ‘Law must take its course’
King Charles III said he had learned of the arrest “with the deepest concern”.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” the king said in a statement.
He added that the authorities had the royal family’s “full and wholehearted support and cooperation”.
“Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all,” he said.
Although Buckingham Palace was not informed in advance of the arrest, the monarch said he would not interfere in the legal process.
The arrest of a senior royal — Andrew is eighth in line to the throne — is unprecedented in modern times.
The last British monarch to be arrested was Charles I, who was tried for treason and executed in 1649.
Legal context
Misconduct in public office is a common law offence in Britain.
It is not defined in statute and can involve complex legal questions.
A conviction carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Such cases are heard in a Crown Court, which deals with the most serious criminal offences.
Police stressed that an arrest indicates reasonable suspicion but does not imply guilt.
Andrew stepped down as trade envoy in 2011 after his links to Epstein first came to light.
He later withdrew from public duties in 2019. Last year, his elder brother stripped him of his remaining royal titles and honours.
The misconduct probe follows the release of more than three million pages of U.S. court documents relating to Epstein.
Andrew was also reported to police by the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic over separate allegations that he was involved in trafficking a woman to Britain for sex in 2010.
Thames Valley Police said it was assessing claims that a woman had been taken to an address in Windsor where Andrew lived until recently.
In 2022, Andrew settled a civil lawsuit in the United States brought by the late Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager.
He denied the allegations. The current investigation is unrelated to that case.
The family of Giuffre, who died by suicide last year, said in a statement: “Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty.”
US President Donald Trump described the arrest as “very sad” and “so bad for the royal family” when asked by reporters.
Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for further investigation into whether authorities adequately checked Epstein’s movements through London’s Stansted Airport.
Essex Police said it was examining that issue.
