Prince Andrew, who is now technically known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on Thursday morning. This happens to be his 66th birthday.
Andrew Arrested
Andrew had been staying at a home located on his older brother King Charles’ Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Officers arrived there this morning and swiftly took Andrew into custody.
Andrew had recently moved to this home after being ordered to leave his Royal Lodge home by Charles, 77. His arrest is reportedly due to suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Police have been investigating Andrew for allegedly sharing confidential information with the late billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein while he was acting as an official trade envoy for the United Kingdom.
“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,” Thames Valley Police said in a statement.
“The man remains in police custody at this time,” the statement continued. It concluded by saying that police will not be naming the man in question.
Complaint Against Andrew
Earlier this month, Thames Valley Police confirmed that they were investigating a complaint that Andrew had shared confidential information with Epstein. This complaint was brought by the anti-monarchy group Republic, which reported Andrew for “suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets.”
Republic claimed that emails in the Epstein files show that Andrew shared confidential documents with the billionaire during his time acting as the U.K.’s special representative for international trade and investment. Andrew held this position from 2001 until 2011.
The King has already broken his silence about Andrew’s arrest in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” Charles said. “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,” he continued. “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.”
Charles ended the statement by signing it “Charles R.”
Prince William, the heir to the British throne, and his wife Kate Middleton are not expected to release a statement. However, sources have told People Magazine that they support what the King had to say.
Andrew’s History
Andrew is the third of the late Queen Elizabeth’s four children. Before her death in 2022, Andrew had long been said to be the favorite of her children.
Andrew has since become disgraced due to his ties to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019. Though Andrew has long denied any wrongdoing when it comes to Epstein, his name came up several times in the Epstein files.
Andrew was stripped of his royal titles and honors by his brother in October of 2025. He was then evicted from Royal Lodge, where he had lived for many years.
Andrew had previously stepped down as a senior royal in November of 2019 due to his Epstein ties. His mother the Queen stripped him of his military titles and patronages in January of 2022. This came after a judge rejected his attempt to have Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre’s sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed.
Giuffre, who died by suicide in April of last year, had long claimed that she was forced to have sex with Andrew multiple times when she was an underage 17 year-old girl. Andrew has repeatedly denied it, but many have never bought his story.
Andrew has yet to break his silence about his arrest. Only time will tell how this turns out for him.