UK ex-Prince Andrew arrested

Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has been arrested by British police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, in a case linked to allegations arising from newly released documents connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Thames Valley Police said in a statement on Thursday that an investigation has been opened into alleged misconduct dating back to his time as a UK trade envoy. Police confirmed that a man in his sixties was arrested in Norfolk and remains in custody while searches continue at properties in both Berkshire and Norfolk as part of the inquiry.

Officers were seen earlier on Thursday morning at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, where unmarked police vehicles and plain‑clothes officers gathered. The arrest coincided with Mountbatten‑Windsor’s 66th birthday.

A police statement did not name the former royal, in line with UK legal guidelines, but multiple British news outlets reported that he is the individual taken into custody.

The investigation follows revelations in recently released material from the Epstein files — a large tranche of documents linked to the late financier — which allegedly show that Mountbatten‑Windsor may have shared confidential government information with Epstein during his tenure as a trade envoy.

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said the probe would continue and that “significant public interest” surrounds the case, but he urged care in reporting details to avoid prejudice to the ongoing investigation.