Britain’s King Charles III said on Thursday that “the law must take its course” following the arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, on suspicion of misconduct in public office
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the monarch 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 added, “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.”
Thames Valley Police confirmed Andrew’s arrest, along with early morning searches at two addresses linked to him.
“We have today 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. The man remains in police custody at this time,” the police said. In line with U.K. guidelines, they did not name the individual publicly, referring inquiries to the official statement.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said, “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office. It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.” Norfolk Police confirmed it is assisting the probe.
The arrest came amid reports of unmarked police vehicles and plain-clothed officers at Andrew’s residence, Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, early Thursday—coinciding with his 66th birthday.
While authorities have not disclosed the exact allegations, Thames Valley Police had been reviewing claims that Andrew, while serving as the U.K.’s trade envoy, shared confidential government reports with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The reports reportedly covered trips to Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam in 2010 and 2011.
The allegations originated from correspondence released by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of final Epstein-related disclosures. One email, addressed to “The Duke” and later forwarded to Epstein, included attached visit reports concerning Southeast Asia, while another referenced a potential investment opportunity in Afghanistan.
Further scrutiny followed the release of a photograph showing Andrew leaning over a woman, whose identity and context remain unclear. The image was presented during testimony by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi before the House Judiciary Committee.
Police have also reviewed claims that Epstein sent a woman to Andrew at the Royal Lodge in Windsor in 2010. A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said all information is being assessed according to established procedures.
Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The renewed investigation has reignited questions about his ties to Epstein, who was first convicted in 2008 on charges related to prostitution, including involving a minor, and later died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting federal sex trafficking trial.
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