Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor released under investigation after being arrested

The former prince was arrested on Thursday morning

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested today on his birthday as police issued a statement.

Police were spotted at a property on the Sandringham Estate on Thursday morning. Andrew is currently residing on the estate following his exit from Windsor’s Royal Lodge.

Shortly afterwards, reports claimed that the former Duke of York was taken into custody.

Andrew had been expected to mark his 66th birthday today. However, events appear to have unfolded very differently.

Now, an update has been issued as images of Andrew have emerged.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested today (Credit: Cover Images)

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on his birthday

On Thursday morning, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The specific details of the allegations of misconduct being investigated are unknown.

According to reports, six unmarked police vehicles and around eight plain clothed officers arrived at Wood Farm just after 8am. One officer was reportedly carrying a police issued laptop.

The BBC then reported that it had seen a statement from Thames Valley Police addressing the situation.

The statement reads: “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.

“We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.”

Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.

“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”

Why has Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor been arrested?

Scrutiny has been mounting over Andrew’s association with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein following the recent release of millions of files relating to the disgraced financier last month.

The latest tranche, made public by the US Department of Justice, once again raised questions about his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Following the release of files, Andrew was accused of sharing sensitive and confidential documents with Epstein during his time as a UK trade envoy.

He served as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. In 2010, Andrew allegedly forwarded government reports from trade visits to Epstein, according to the files.

The files also appear to show the former prince forwarded the disgraced financier information on investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

Under official guidance, trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive, commercial, or political information about their official visits.

It’s been confirmed that police are also searching addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.

Andrew’s representative and Buckingham Palace have been contacted for comment.

Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. This arrest should not be seen as any indication of guilt and there are no charges yet.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor released from custody

In the latest update, Andrew has just been released from police custody on Thursday evening.

As per reports, Andrew was photographed as a vehicle picked him up from Aylsham police investigation centre this evening, just before 19:00.

A photographer was able to snap the former prince, seen here, as he attempted to lean back on the backseat of the black Range Rover.

Aisla Anderson, former press secretary to Andrew’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, said of the quickly circulating image of Andrew: “He looked dazed, he looked shell-shocked, he was slouching down.”

Thames Valley Police has said: “Thames Valley Police is able to provide an update in relation to an investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office.

“On Thursday we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

“The arrested man has now been released under investigation. We can also confirm that our searches in Norfolk have now concluded.”

Emerging reports claim that cameras are poised outside Andrew’s temporary home, Wood Farm, at Sandringham.

They are anticipating that the former prince will shortly return home.

Andrew has faced much scrutiny over his links to Epstein (Credit: Cover Images)

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor pictured in the Epstein files

On January 30, more than three million files connected to Epstein and his crimes were released by the US Department of Justice.

Since then, Andrew has been under intense scrutiny.

As well as the alleged emails between him and Epstein, images also appeared within the files.

The images appeared to show Andrew kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman lying on the ground.

No context has been provided for the photographs. It also remains unclear when and where they were taken. Andrew’s team has yet to comment.

Although being named or pictured in the files does not confirm wrongdoing, his appearance has reignited public scrutiny.

Just days after the documents were released, Andrew vacated Royal Lodge, the home he had occupied for more than two decades. He is now temporarily residing at Wood Farm while renovations continue at his new property, Marsh Farm, also located on the Sandringham Estate.

For several years, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s association with Epstein has remained under intense examination.

Allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Last October, Andrew lost his royal titles and honours. He was also instructed to leave Royal Lodge.

At the time, his ties to Epstein were dominating headlines, particularly as Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir detailed her alleged encounters with the royal.

Ms Giuffre alleged that she was made to have sex with Andrew on three separate occasions when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.

Andrew has consistently denied Ms Giuffre’s allegations.

It’s worth noting that Andrew has not been arrested for anything surrounding Ms Giuffre.

Virginia Giuffre’s family speak out

Following Andrew’s arrest earlier today, Virginia Giuffre’s family issued a statement.

Tragically, Virginia took her own life in April 2025. She was 41.

Her family’s statement reads: “At last, today our broken hearts have been lifted with the news that no one is above the law – not even royalty.

Virginia’s family have spoken out (Credit: Emily Michot/TNS via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)
“On behalf of our sister, we extend our gratitude to the UK’s Thames Valley Police in their investigation and arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

“He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.”