Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III, was released from police custody on Thursday night. This happened after police held him for about 11 hours for questioning. Officers arrested him on his 66th birthday at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The arrest is part of a look into "Misconduct in Public Office." This legal term means a person in a public job is suspected of doing something seriously wrong on purpose.
Police are now searching two main areas: his former home at Royal Lodge in Windsor and buildings in Norfolk. The investigation focuses on whether he used his old job as a trade envoy to help Jeffrey Epstein and his friends. While he is no longer in a cell, the police say he is still "under investigation." This means the case is not over, and they are still looking for evidence. The event marks the first time a senior royal has been arrested in nearly 400 years.
Timeline of Events and Custody Details
The police action began early in the morning and lasted until late evening. The following table shows how the day moved from the arrest to his release.
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Police arrive in unmarked cars and arrest Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. | Wood Farm, Sandringham |
| Morning | Searches begin at multiple properties. | Royal Lodge (Windsor) & Norfolk |
| During Day | Investigators ask questions for about 11 to 12 hours. | Aylsham Police Station |
| Evening | King Charles III makes a public statement about the law. | London |
| 8:00 PM | Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaves in a car, slouched in the back. | Aylsham Police Station |
Evidence Gathered and Ongoing Search Operations
The police are looking for documents and digital data. They want to see if there is proof of his private meetings or deals made during his time as a UK trade envoy.
Physical Searches: Officers from Thames Valley Police are searching Royal Lodge. This is a large house in Windsor. They are also looking through properties in Norfolk.
Official Records: Investigators are looking at his work history from the time he represented the UK in business.
Witness Information: Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated he gave information to the police to help women who were hurt by human trafficking.
Past Statements: In legal papers from New York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor said he regretted knowing Jeffrey Epstein, but he has always said he did nothing illegal.
The Legal Meaning of Public Misconduct
The charge of "Misconduct in Public Office" is a very old and serious law in the UK. It is used when a person who works for the public is suspected of using their power in a bad way.
"It essentially boils down to an allegation that someone who was doing a job on behalf of the British public did something seriously wrong, knowing it to be wrong." — Legal analysis from news reports.
There are two sides to this legal issue. On one side, the police must show that the person had a duty to the public and broke that duty. On the other side, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has many times denied that he did anything wrong. His lawyers often point out that being friends with someone bad is not the same as committing a crime yourself. The central question for the police is: Did his actions cross the line from a personal friendship to a crime involving his public job?
The Search of Official Residences
The search of Royal Lodge is a major part of this case. This house has been the home of the former prince for many years.
Why search now? Police often search homes to find diaries, computers, or letters that were not shared before.
The Norfolk Property: Wood Farm is a private house on the King's estate. Being arrested there shows that the police are looking at all places where he spends time.
Public vs. Private: Some people ask why these searches are happening so long after the friendship with Epstein ended. Others suggest that new files or "Epstein papers" from the US might have given the police new clues.
Reactions from the Government and the King
This arrest has caused people in high positions to speak out. The reactions show a mix of support for the law and worry for the Royal Family.
The King: King Charles III said "the law must take its course." He expressed "deepest concern" about the news. This suggests the King will not stop the police from doing their job.
The US Government: Officials in the United States said now is the "time to act" on the files related to the Epstein investigation.
Donald Trump: The former US President said the arrest was "so bad for the royal family."
Gordon Brown: The former Prime Minister said he shared information to help find "justice for trafficked women."
Analysis of the Legal Situation
Experts who know about police work say this process is standard for a serious investigation.
Former Police Chiefs explain that being "released under investigation" means the police do not have enough evidence to charge him with a crime yet, but they have enough to keep looking. They say he would have been treated like any other person in the police station.
Read More: King Charles 'Deeply Concerned' After Prince Andrew Arrested on Birthday in Norfolk
Legal Experts note that Misconduct in Public Office is hard to prove in court. It requires showing that the person knew what they were doing was wrong. Because Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor says he did nothing wrong, the police will need to find very strong proof, like emails or financial records, to move forward.
Summary of the Case and Future Steps
The investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has reached a new stage. He is no longer in a police cell, but he is not "cleared" of the suspicions.
Current Findings:
He was arrested on suspicion of a crime related to his former public role.
He spent 11-12 hours answering police questions.
Police are still searching his homes for evidence.
He continues to say he is innocent of all claims.
Next Steps:
Police will finish searching the houses and look at everything they found.
Lawyers for the government (CPS) will look at the evidence to decide if there should be a trial.
US officials may share more information from their own files about Jeffrey Epstein.
Sources and Context
BBC News - Misconduct in Public Office explained
Context: Provides a legal definition of the specific crime being investigated.The Independent - Andrew leaves police station after arrest
Context: Reports on the release and property searches.The Guardian - Timeline of the arrest day
Context: Details the morning arrest at Sandringham and the role of the trade envoy.Irish Times - King Charles and Gordon Brown reactions
Context: Includes statements from the King and former Prime Minister.Sky News - Historic nature of the arrest
Context: Highlights that this is the first modern arrest of a senior royal.The Sun - Details on the questioning
Context: Confirms the 11-hour stay in custody and search of Royal Lodge.
