UK Police Arrest Ex-Prince Andrew Over Alleged Misconduct

Britain’s former prince Andrew was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his tenure as a UK trade envoy, as police investigations connected to the Jeffrey Epstein files intensified.

The development marks a rare and extraordinary moment in modern British history, with authorities confirming that they were conducting searches at two properties, one in eastern England and another west of London, as part of the widening probe.

It is the latest setback for the disgraced royal, who was stripped of his titles last year. Thursday also marked his 66th birthday, the same day he was taken into custody.

“We have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office,” Thames Valley Police said in a statement, without naming the suspect, in line with UK practice.

Officers “are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk,” the force added, noting “the man remains in police custody at this time”.

Photographs circulated by British media showed several unmarked vehicles, believed to be police cars, arriving early Thursday at Sandringham Estate — the private Norfolk residence of King Charles III — where Andrew recently relocated.

The arrest followed fresh disclosures last week suggesting Andrew shared potentially confidential documents with Epstein during his time as Britain’s trade envoy.

An email dated November 2010, obtained by AFP, reportedly showed Andrew forwarding reports on several Asian countries to Epstein after an official visit to the region.

Now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former royal is also said to have provided Epstein with details of the trip, which included the financier’s business associates, and later shared information on possible investment opportunities.

Last year, King Charles III removed his younger brother’s remaining royal titles and directed him to vacate his residence on the Windsor estate, though Andrew remains eighth in line to the British throne.

The move followed renewed allegations by one of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Giuffre, who detailed in her posthumous memoir claims that she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew when she was a teenager. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

In 2022, he settled a civil lawsuit in the United States filed by Giuffre, while maintaining that he admitted no liability.

Last week, the king publicly expressed “concern” over his brother’s alleged conduct and, in an unusual statement, said Buckingham Palace was “ready to support” the police.

According to guidelines cited by the BBC, UK trade envoys are required to safeguard sensitive commercial and political information obtained during official engagements.

Andrew served as Britain’s trade envoy for a decade beginning in 2001. Misconduct in public office carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

At least nine police forces across the UK are reportedly reviewing materials linked to Epstein, as scrutiny surrounding the former royal continues to intensify.

AFP