Police arrested the former Prince Andrew on Thursday, Feb. 19
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
The update comes after Thames Valley Police confirmed it was investigating a complaint alleging that the former Duke of York shared confidential information related to his role as a trade envoy with Jeffrey Epstein
The formerPrince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested.A team of police officers arrived at the home where he is staying onKing Charles' Sandringham estate in Norfolk on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 19 — Andrew's 66th birthday.
Andrew moved there after being ordered to leave his Royal Lodge home in Windsor by the King, 77.
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It was first reported by theBBCthat he had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.Authorities are investigating Andrew in light of an allegation claiming that he shared confidential information with the late Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a trade envoy for the U.K.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
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In a statement, Thames Valley police said, "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."
"The man remains in police custody at this time," the statement continued, adding that they will not be naming the arrested man.
The news comes after the Thames Valley Police confirmed it was investigating a complaint alleging that the former Duke of Yorkshared confidential informationrelated to his role as a trade envoy with Epstein, theBBCreported on Feb. 9. The complaint was brought by the anti-monarchy group Republic, which reported King Charles' brother for "suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets," the outlet said.
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Republic argued that emails between Andrew and Epstein showed that the British prince shared confidential documents with Epstein relating to his role as the U.K.'s special representative for international trade and investment, a post he held from 2001 to 2011. The correspondence wasreleasedby the U.S. Department of Justice on Jan. 30 in the latest tranche of files relating to the ongoing investigation of Epstein. Trade envoys promote British business interests abroad and the job comes with a duty of confidentiality, even after one's term of office ends.
Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender who died in prison while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges in August 2019. Andrew's ties to himset his step back from public life in motionthree months later;Queen Elizabeth's second son denied any wrongdoing regarding their relationship.
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After Thames Valley Police confirmed it was assessing whether there were grounds for an investigation in light of the new emails between the two men, King Charles' officereleased a seismic statement vowing it would cooperate with law enforcementif approached about a probe.
"The King 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," Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Feb. 9.
"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, referencing the King andQueen Camilla, who is a tireless advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.
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The palace statement notably addressed Andrew's "conduct" for the first time since he and his ex-wife,Sarah Ferguson, were mentioned several times in the latest tranche of Epstein files. The former couple divorced in 1996 after a decade of marriage and share daughtersPrincess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenie, but continued to live together at Royal Lodge in Windsor after their split.
Andrew was evicted from Royal Lodge when the Kingstripped his royal titles and honorsin October 2025, an unprecedented step by the sovereign amid new scrutiny of his brother's ties to Epstein.
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The former Duke of Yorkstepped back from his working royal rolein November 2019 following abombshell BBC interviewin which he discussed his relationship with Epstein. Queen Elizabeth stripped Andrew of hismilitary titles and patronagesin January 2022 after a judge rejected his attempt to have Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre'ssexual assault lawsuitagainst him dismissed.
Andrew has repeatedly denied Giuffre's allegations andreached a settlementwith her in 2022. She died by suicide in April 2025.
On Sunday, Feb. 15, the director of public prosecutions in the U.K., Stephen Parkinson, toldThe Sunday Times, "Nobody is above the law. It's my job to enforce the law, and I do so without fear or favor, and that is unaffected by the status of the individual concerned."
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