Former UK prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office amid Epstein files controversy

London: Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor, the younger brother of Charles III, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, British police said, in a major development linked to the long-running Jeffrey Epstein saga.

The arrest was carried out at his home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where officers executed searches at multiple addresses in the region.

Thames Valley Police confirmed their involvement in the investigation but did not immediately name Andrew in their statement, saying only that “a man in his sixties … has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and is in custody.”

Police said searches were underway at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk as part of the probe. The force emphasised it was conducting a thorough assessment of evidence.

The arrest comes on Feb 19 which was Andrew’s 66th birthday, and marks a dramatic escalation in legal scrutiny of a former senior member of the British royal family. It is understood to be connected to new material from the “Epstein files” — a massive tranche of documents released earlier this year that purportedly contains evidence that Andrew may have shared confidential government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as a UK trade envoy.

Officials have said that the misconduct allegation relates to Andrew’s alleged conduct while serving as a UK trade envoy on visits abroad.

Documents reportedly show that he forwarded trade reports and other official information to Epstein in 2010, prompting police to assess whether his actions may have breached obligations tied to public office.

His association with Epstein has been a source of controversy for more than a decade. In 2019, Andrew stepped back from royal duties following intense public criticism over his friendship with Epstein.

In October 2025, King Charles formally stripped him of his royal title as the ongoing scandal continued to overshadow the monarchy.

The police action signals a shift from previous civil and public pressure to active criminal investigation. As part of the probe, officers were seen at multiple locations, including unmarked vehicles arriving at Andrew’s Sandringham residence on Thursday morning.

Misconduct in public office is a Common Law offence in the UK that can carry significant penalties if convicted. Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said the force had opened the investigation after careful assessment of the allegations and was continuing to work with partner agencies to gather evidence.

So far, neither Andrew nor Buckingham Palace has issued a public statement on his arrest. Authorities said they would provide updates as appropriate, while legal experts noted the sensitive nature of the case given its connections to both national security concerns and high-profile international figures.