On Feb. 19, King Charles’ younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in relation to allegations that he passed confidential government material to the late Jeffrey Epstein. The 66-year-old former royal was questioned throughout the day by detectives from Thames Valley Police and was released in the evening under investigation.
The arrest centres on claims that while serving as Britain’s Special Representative for Trade and Investment he forwarded reports from official trips - including material about Vietnam, Singapore and other locations - to Epstein. Those reports emerged in more than 3 million pages of documents that were made public by U.S. authorities and suggested the sharing of official trip reports with Epstein in 2010. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently rejected wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has said he regrets their friendship.
After many hours of questioning, a witness saw the former prince leave a police station in Aylsham, eastern England, shortly after 1900 GMT. Photographers and television crews were present as he departed the station. A photograph taken after his release showed him seated inside a car appearing visibly shaken. Thames Valley Police subsequently said that "the arrested man" had been "released under investigation."
Official reactions and the royal household
Buckingham Palace said it was not informed before the arrest, but King Charles issued a statement saying authorities had the family's "full and wholehearted support and cooperation." He added: "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course." The monarch also said that his family would continue in their public duties and service.
The king made a public appearance at a fashion show in London on the same day and did not offer further comment beyond his written statement.
Police statement and investigation details
Thames Valley Police confirmed it had opened an investigation into an allegation of misconduct in public office. Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright commented: "Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time."
The force said the arrest reflected reasonable suspicion that a criminal offence had been committed and that Mountbatten-Windsor was suspected of involvement. They emphasised, however, that an arrest does not imply guilt.
Misconduct in public office is a Common Law offence rather than one set out in statute, and police have previously noted it involves "particular complexities." A conviction for misconduct in public office can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and is dealt with in a Crown Court, which handles the most serious criminal matters.
Searches and police activity
Earlier in the day, photographs showed six unmarked police vehicles and around eight plain-clothed officers at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, where Mountbatten-Windsor resides. Officers were also seen at the mansion on the Windsor estate where he had previously lived before stepping down from royal duties amid the fallout from his association with Epstein.
Background: roles, previous steps back from duties and civil settlement
Mountbatten-Windsor served for a period as the government’s Special Representative for Trade and Investment, a role in which he undertook official trips. He stepped down from that role in 2011 after his close links to Epstein came to public attention. In 2019 he was forced to quit all official royal duties as scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein intensified. In October of the previous year he was stripped by his older brother, the king, of titles and honours amid further revelations about that relationship.
In 2022, Mountbatten-Windsor settled a civil lawsuit in the United States brought by the late Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager at properties linked to Epstein. The current police inquiry into alleged misconduct in public office is separate from that civil action and from any claims of sexual impropriety.
Additional allegations and investigations
The misconduct probe is not the only allegation to attract official attention. The anti-monarchy campaign group Republic has made a separate report alleging Mountbatten-Windsor was involved in the trafficking of a woman to Britain for sex in 2010. Thames Valley Police said it was assessing claims that a woman had been taken to an address in Windsor where the former prince previously lived.
U.S. lawmakers have also requested that Mountbatten-Windsor testify before committees in the United States about what he knew of Epstein. Separately, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for a police investigation into alleged trafficking through London’s Stansted Airport, saying the issue may have been overlooked by earlier inquiries into Mountbatten-Windsor. Essex Police said it was looking into the Stansted matter.
Public and political responses
The family of Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide last year, issued a statement saying: "Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty." That statement reflects the emotional intensity surrounding renewed inquiries into the Epstein network and associated figures.
In reaction to the arrest, former U.S. President Donald Trump described the situation as "a shame," telling reporters: "I think it’s very sad. I think it’s so bad for the royal family. It’s very, very sad to me... to see what’s going on with his (King Charles’) brother."
Historical context of royal prosecutions and closing notes
Were Mountbatten-Windsor to be charged, he would become part of a very small set of senior British royals to have been formally accused of criminal offences. The most recent high-profile examples mentioned in public discussion include Princess Anne, who was fined for speeding in 2001 and in 2002 became the first royal in centuries to be convicted of a criminal offence when she pleaded guilty to failing to stop a dog that bit two children.
While those historical references are sometimes drawn on in commentary, the current matters under investigation are specific and distinct: the misconduct in public office probe focuses on alleged transmission of official documents to Jeffrey Epstein, and police continue to assess related and separate allegations. Thames Valley Police have said they will provide updates at the appropriate time.