Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office and remains in police custody as investigators search multiple properties in England, Thames Valley Police said in a statement.
Police said a man in his sixties from Norfolk was arrested at about 08:00 at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Officers are conducting searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk, including the Royal Lodge in Windsor, where the former prince lived until recently.
The arrest follows an assessment by police of a complaint concerning the alleged sharing of confidential material by Mountbatten-Windsor with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said the force had opened a formal investigation following an assessment of the complaint. “It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence,” he said. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
Mountbatten-Windsor, who turns 66 on Wednesday, has previously denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. He has not responded to the BBC’s requests for comment regarding the specific allegations linked to the release of millions of Epstein-related files in January.
Buckingham Palace said King Charles was not informed in advance of the arrest. The King said he “learned with the deepest concern” of the development and added that “the law must take its course.” Prince William and Catherine are understood to support the statement.
In October 2025, Buckingham Palace announced that the King had “initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew,” following an earlier statement in which Andrew said he would “no longer use” his title or other honors.
In addition to those allegations, he was questioned regarding claims of an improper relationship with an underage female within Epstein’s circle and appeared on the BBC program Newsnight in 2019 in an attempt to refute the accusations.