- Thursday evening, police said the individual had been released while investigations continue
- In a statement, King Charles III expressed deep concern over his brother’s arrest
- US President Donald Trump described the arrest as “very sad”
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released under investigation after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Thames Valley Police confirmed on Thursday morning that a man in his 60s had been detained in Norfolk. Officers also carried out searches at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk as part of the inquiry, Eko Hot Blog reports
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By Thursday evening, police said the individual had been released while investigations continue, and that searches in Norfolk had been completed.
The arrest took place at Sandringham at around 08:00 GMT and is not linked to any allegations of sexual offences. Authorities stated that, following what they described as a thorough assessment, a formal investigation had been launched.
They added that the arrested individual would not be named in line with national guidelines and cautioned the public about the risk of contempt of court given the active status of the case.
Andrew, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was photographed leaving Aylsham police station in the back of a vehicle. This marks the first time he has been arrested.
Police have previously indicated they were reviewing claims connected to Andrew’s past association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including allegations that confidential information may have been shared.
Recently released files by the US Department of Justice included communications between the two men. Some documents appear to suggest that official reports from overseas visits, as well as information about potential investment opportunities, were forwarded to Epstein during the period Andrew served as the UK’s trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.
Under official guidelines, trade envoys are required to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive political and commercial matters.
Earlier this month, police also said they were assessing a separate allegation that a second woman was allegedly sent to the UK by Epstein in 2010. The woman, who is not British, was in her 20s at the time. The current arrest, however, is not related to sexual offence claims.
BBC News understands that the Home Office was informed in advance of the arrest. Norfolk Constabulary confirmed it was assisting Thames Valley Police with the misconduct investigation. Officers were also seen at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Andrew’s former residence, where searches were reportedly conducted.
In a statement, King Charles III expressed deep concern over his brother’s arrest, stressing that the matter must proceed through the proper legal channels. He said the police have his full support and cooperation, but declined to comment further while the investigation is ongoing.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are understood to back the King’s position. Buckingham Palace was reportedly not given prior notice of the arrest, which occurred on Andrew’s 66th birthday.
Senior members of the Royal Family continued with scheduled public engagements despite the developments. The King did not respond to questions from reporters during an appearance marking the start of London Fashion Week, and Queen Camilla similarly declined to comment when asked about the arrest following an event in Windsor.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he had submitted additional information from the Epstein files to several UK police forces, stating that his aim was to help secure justice for victims of trafficking.
Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 amid controversy surrounding his links to Epstein. He later relinquished his military titles and royal patronages after a civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre in the United States was settled out of court without any admission of liability.
In October 2025, he was stripped of his princely title, the same month new details about his past association with Epstein emerged.
US President Donald Trump described the arrest as “very sad” and said it was damaging for the Royal Family. Investigations remain ongoing.
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