Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British Prince Andrew who was stripped of his royal titles over ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was reportedly arrested on Feb. 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released hours later.
According to the BBC, police took Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, into custody at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, around 8 a.m. local time.
The arrest comes as Mountbatten-Windsor faces renewed scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein following the U.S. Department of Justice’s latest release of files connected to the disgraced financier. The documents indicated that Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential information with Epstein while serving as the United Kingdom’s special trade envoy, the BBC reported.
One email thread appears to show Mountbatten-Windsor forwarding official reports on his 2010 visits to Asia to Epstein minutes after receiving them. Another email exchange between the two men that year appears to show Mountbatten-Windsor sharing what he described as “a confidential brief” on potential investment opportunities in Afghanistan, where British forces were based at the time.
Thames Valley Police confirmed in a statement that it arrested a man in his 60s from Norfolk “on suspicion of misconduct in public office” and is conducting searches at properties in Norfolk and Berkshire. In line with national guidance, police did not name the man.
“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” Thames Valley Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said. “It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged [offense].”
Wright added that authorities recognize the “significant public interest” in the case and will provide updates “at the appropriate time.”
In a statement hours later, Thames Valley Police said the man "has now been released under investigation," which means he has neither been charged nor exonerated.
If prosecutors eventually charge Mountbatten-Windsor with misconduct in public office, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison under British law, according to CBS News.
Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III, lost his royal status and titles in October 2025 and has faced years of criticism over his association with Epstein, though he has consistently denied wrongdoing.
As Zeale News previously reported, Mountbatten-Windsor was among 200 individuals named as “associates” of Epstein’s in documents unsealed in January 2024. The records stemmed from a now-settled defamation lawsuit brought by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate who is now serving a prison sentence. In a posthumously published memoir, Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2025, accused then-Prince Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was a minor after being trafficked by Epstein.
Giuffre’s family responded to news of Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest in a statement published by CBS News, saying that their “broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law.”
“He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you,” the statement added.
In a separate statement shared with CBS News, King Charles said he learned “with the deepest concern” of his brother’s arrest.
“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,” the king continued. “In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.”
He added that it would not be appropriate to comment further as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, he said, “my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”