On the morning of his 66th birthday, Feb. 19, a team of police officers arrived at the home of the former Prince Andrew to arrest him.
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Now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, he has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. We have more details below.
The Former Prince Andrew Has Denied Any Wrongdoing
PEOPLE reported that authorities are investigating Mountbatten-Windsor because of allegations that he shared confidential information with the late Jeffrey Epstein. This allegedly occurred while Mountbatten-Windsor was acting as a trade envoy for the U.K. Additionally, the former royal has denied any wrongdoing regarding Epstein.
"As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) 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," Thames Valley police said in a statement. "The man remains in police custody at this time."
Authorities said they will not be naming the man arrested.
Police confirmed last week they were investigating a complaint by the anti-monarchy group Republic regarding Mountbatten-Windsor's "suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets."
What Did the Epstein Files Show?
In emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Jan. 30, it was shown that Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential documents with Epstein during his tenure as the U.K.'s special representative for international trade and investment. He held that position from 2001 to 2011. Even when the role ends, envoys are to maintain confidentiality.
Mountbatten-Windsor's ties to Epstein forced him to step down from his public life. Epstein was charged with sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors in 2019.
Queen Elizabeth stripped Mountbatten-Windsor's military titles and patronages in 2022. This occurred after a judge rejected his request for a dismissal of a sexual assault lawsuit from Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre. The former Duke of York has denied the allegations, and the case was settled in 2022. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025.
On Feb. 9, King Charles said in a statement that he "has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct. While the specific claims in question are for Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police, we stand ready to support them as you would expect."
"As was previously stated, Their Majesties' thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse," it continued.
