Images from an undated and redacted document released by the US Department of Justice, photographed Saturday, January 31, 2026, show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaning over an unidentified person. (Photo: AP)Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Arrested Live Updates: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released under investigation following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Police had previously said they were considering investigating Andrew over allegations relating to his association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and were reviewing allegations he shared confidential material.
Police statement: The arrest followed after pictures circulated online that appeared to show unmarked police cars attending Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, with plainclothes officers outside his home. The police did not name Mountbatten-Windsor, but when asked if he had been arrested, the force pointed to a statement saying that they had arrested a man in his sixties. “It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence, the statement read.
Stripped of titles: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is the first senior royal in modern history to be arrested. He is the younger brother of Britain’s King Charles III, who owns the Sandringham Estate where he is now living. He was stripped of his royal titles late last year amid the fallout from his links to Epstein.
Virginia Giuffre’s family said their “broken hearts have been lifted” following the arrest, adding that the development proves “no one is above the law, not even royalty.” Giuffre, who died by suicide in 2025, had repeatedly alleged she was forced to have sex with the then-prince while underage.
Andrew has previously denied wrongdoing and has not publicly commented on the latest allegations.
King Charles III said “the law must take its course” and pledged full co-operation with authorities.
In the United States, President Donald Trump described the situation as “very sad”, while a Democratic congressman said developments were being closely watched in Washington.
Andrew was photographed returning to the Sandringham Estate after leaving Aylsham police station.
The investigation remains ongoing. No charges have been filed.
Misconduct in public office is a common law offence in the UK. It carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, though legal experts note it is rarely prosecuted successfully because of the high threshold required to prove wilful neglect or abuse of office.
The offence is also slated for repeal under forthcoming legislation aimed at replacing it with more clearly defined statutory provisions.
Detectives from Thames Valley Police had arrested Prince Andrew on suspicion of misconduct in public office in connection with allegations that he forwarded sensitive government and commercial documents to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
As per a police statement, former prince Andrew was taken into custody and later' released under investigation" on Thursday evening. Officers also carried out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk as part of the inquiry.
The probe relates to Andrew’s tenure as a UK trade envoy. According to police, the investigation was launched following the emergence of documents from the US Department of Justice concerning Epstein.
Detectives from Thames Valley Police arrested Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office, a charge linked to his tenure as a UK trade envoy and the alleged forwarding of sensitive government and commercial documents to the late Jeffrey Epstein; he was released under investigation on Thursday evening, with police confirming searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk and noting that the offence can carry a maximum life sentence, though it remains notoriously difficult to prosecute and is slated for repeal under upcoming legislation.
(source: The Guardian)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office and later released under investigation. He was photographed returning to Sandringham Estate after leaving Aylsham police station. Police said a man in his 60s was held and properties in Berkshire and Norfolk were searched.
The probe relates to activity during his tenure as a trade envoy and follows US Justice Department documents on Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has previously denied wrongdoing and has not commented on the latest allegations.
King Charles said “the law must take its course” and pledged full co‑operation, while US President Donald Trump called the situation “very sad” and a Democratic congressman said it was being watched closely in America. -BBC
According to a CNN report quoting a royal source, the Buckingham Palace was not informed in advance about the arrest of former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
A former senior police officer has said that since ex-Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested, the police now have the ability to search his properties and possessions, including electronic items.
"There would have been a huge amount of work before the arrest would have happened. The police don’t have to arrest somebody – they can draw an interview, they can ask them to send information through. So, the decision to make an arrest is very significant," said ex-Metro police chief superintendent to CNN.
UK's Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has reacted to the arrest of former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and said that it is now a "police investigation".
In a statement to BBC, Lammy 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."
Here is the full statement of King Charles III related to arrest of former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
"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."
"The law must take its course," said King Charles in a statement reacting to the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Police are carrying out searches at homes linked to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after his arrest, Independent reported.
Thames Valley Police confirmed officers were searching properties in both Berkshire, where his previous home of two decades, Royal Lodge, is situated, and Norfolk, where he currently lives on the King’s Sandringham estate.
The UK police have arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles’ younger brother, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following accusations that he shared confidential information with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a British trade envoy, according to the BBC.
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