Police Investigation and Arrest
Prince Andrew was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office during his tenure as a UK trade envoy, authorities confirmed. Police also carried out searches at his homes in Berkshire and Norfolk. While the official statement did not name him, it noted that a man in his sixties remains in custody. Andrew celebrated his 66th birthday on the same day.
Investigators emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the inquiry and promised updates when appropriate. Unmarked police vehicles were spotted at Sandringham in Norfolk, where he has been residing since leaving Windsor.
Links to Jeffrey Epstein and Controversial Dealings
Recent reports suggest that Andrew may have shared sensitive documents with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a trade envoy. The Financial Times reported emails indicating he agreed to assist in negotiating an $8-billion oil-for-cash deal involving foreign parties, with communications occurring while Epstein was under house arrest for a 2008 conviction.
Royal commentator Craig Prescott described the situation as one of the most dramatic falls from grace for a royal in modern times. Policing expert Danny Shaw explained that suspects are usually held 12 to 24 hours before being charged or released, with a maximum detention of 96 hours under strict legal extensions. Shaw also confirmed that Andrew would receive no special treatment in custody.
Royal Repercussions and Past Allegations
Earlier this month, Thames Valley Police confirmed it was examining allegations of misconduct. King Charles III expressed concern over his brother’s actions and stated that Buckingham Palace would support the investigation.
In October, Charles stripped Andrew of his royal titles and required him to leave Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate. The decision followed years of scrutiny over Andrew’s association with Epstein. He stepped back from royal duties in 2019 after a widely criticized BBC interview regarding his ties to Epstein.
Andrew has not been charged in connection with Epstein and denies wrongdoing. In 2022, he reached a financial settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse as a minor. While he did not admit liability, he acknowledged her suffering as a victim of sex trafficking. Giuffre died by suicide at 41 in April, and her memoir Nobody’s Girl was published posthumously in October.
