(LifeSiteNews) — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles, has been arrested and is being held in police custody over suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to multiple reports.
The disgraced second son of Queen Elizabeth is accused of sharing confidential documents with Jeffrey Epstein when he served as a British Trade Envoy in 2010.
His Thursday morning arrest — which coincided with his 66th birthday — followed a raid on his home in the royal Sandringham Estate where he had been staying after his older brother evicted him from the Royal Lodge in Windsor following the Epstein revelations.
According to a report by The Daily Mail, “For the past ten days detectives have been probing his conduct as a trade envoy for the UK after emails in the Epstein Files suggested he shared confidential information with his paedophile friend including reports of his official visits and potential investment opportunities.”
The Daily Mail also reports that Andrew “may have smuggled a woman into Buckingham Palace who may have been trafficked into Britain on Epstein’s ‘Lolita Express’ jet.”
For years, the former prince has denied any wrongdoing.
While the official police statement does not mention Andrew by name, referring only to the arrest of a “man in his sixties,” major news outlets in the UK and the US have identified the man as King Charles’ younger brother.
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Nonetheless, the police statement allowed, “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
In Britain, misconduct in public office is committed when a public officer “wilfully neglects to perform their duty” or “wilfully misconducts themselves” in ways that abuse the public’s trust.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Virginia Giuffre, who committed suicide in 2025, had alleged that she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein to then-Prince Andrew when she was 17 and that he was aware of her age.
In her posthumous memoir, Guffrie said, “Prince Andrew believed having sex with me was his birthright.”
In 2021 she filed a lawsuit alleging that Andrew had sexually abused her. Despite his denials, the prince reached a legal settlement with Giuffre for £12 million in 2022, according to a report by Good Morning Britain.
“At last. Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty,” wrote Giuffre’s family in a statement. “On behalf of our sister, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we extend our gratitude to the UK’s Thames Valley Police for their investigation and arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.”
King Charles has issued a statement about his brother’s arrest:
I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. 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 cooperation.
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. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.
Charles R.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.