Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday by a local U.K. police force in an extraordinary development as the former royal has faced intense scrutiny over his ties to late sex predator Jeffrey Epstein.
Thames Valley Police issued a statement announcing that they detained “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.”
The police statement did not name the former prince.
The BBC reported that the force had previously said they were evaluating a complaint over Andrew’s alleged sharing of confidential information with Epstein.
Andrew, King Charles’ brother, has been under the microscope over his relationship with Epstein following the latest files release by the U.S. Department of Justice. He has denied wrongdoing.
King Charles said the royal family would cooperate with the investigation.
“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,” he said in a statement. “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,” he added. “Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
Andrew’s arrest came on the same day as his birthday — he had just turned 66.
Andrew was stripped of his royal title in October as more details came to light about his relationship to Epstein. Earlier this month, he moved out of the Royal Lodge in Windsor and relocated to the king’s Sandringham estate.
Peter Nicholls via Getty Images
The latest trove of Epstein files released by the DOJ suggested that Andrew gave Epstein confidential information in 2010 and 2011, including reports of trips to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam, and a confidential brief detailing investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province in Afghanistan, from his official work as U.K. trade envoy, the BBC reported.
In an interview with BBC Breakfast taped ahead of Andrew’s arrest, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said “nobody is above the law” when asked if the former prince should turn himself over to the police.
