Arrest and Police Operations
Prince Andrew was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his former role as the UK’s trade envoy. Police also conducted searches at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk. While authorities did not initially name him, they confirmed a man in his sixties remained in custody. Andrew turned 66 on the day of the arrest.
Unmarked police vehicles were spotted at Sandringham in Norfolk, where Andrew has been living since leaving Windsor. Law enforcement emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the investigation and said updates would be provided at the appropriate time.
Alleged Involvement with Controversial Figures
Recent reports suggest Andrew may have shared confidential documents with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time as trade envoy. Emails obtained by the Financial Times indicate Andrew agreed to assist in negotiating an $8 billion cash-for-oil swap involving two foreign entities, exchanging messages with Epstein while he was under house arrest.
Royal commentator Craig Prescott called it “the most spectacular fall from grace for a member of the royal family in modern times.” Policing expert Danny Shaw noted that suspects are generally held 12–24 hours before being charged or released, with a maximum detention of 96 hours under special extensions. He added Andrew would receive no special treatment in custody.
Royal Family Response and Past Controversies
Thames Valley Police had confirmed earlier that it was assessing allegations of misconduct by Andrew. King Charles III expressed concern over his brother’s actions and stated Buckingham Palace was ready to support police inquiries.
In October, Charles removed Andrew’s royal titles and asked him to vacate Royal Lodge at Windsor Castle. The decision followed years of controversy over his links to Epstein. Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 after a widely criticized BBC interview about his association with Epstein.
Andrew has not been charged in connection with Epstein and has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. In 2022, he reached a settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse at 17. Though he admitted no liability, he acknowledged her suffering as a victim of trafficking. Giuffre died by suicide in April at 41 in Western Australia, and her memoir Nobody’s Girl was published posthumously in October.
