Former British prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released on police bail this Thursday evening pending further investigation, having been arrested on suspicion of serious misconduct in public office earlier in the same day, according to a statement released by the police. This was a historic event, as it was the first time in modern history that a senior member of the British royal family had been detained by the authorities.
A police spokesperson for Thames Valley Police revealed that 66-year-old Andrew was arrested at his home on the Sandringham Estate in King’s Lynn at around 8am, after being accused of sharing sensitive and confidential information while on a visit as the U.K.’s trade envoy. These allegations have arisen at the same time that the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of pages of documents relating to the convicted child sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein, in a series of court proceedings that were due to start last Thursday.
After 11-12 hours at Aylsham police station in Norfolk, the former prince was released on police bail, meaning that he has not been charged with an offense yet, but will stay ‘under investigation’. Further interviews with police officers are possible.
The arrest had generated much publicity, and it was released into the public domain that his Majesty King Charles III was ‘deeply concerned’ but stressed that ‘the law must take its course’ and that ‘it is fully supportive of the investigation’.
Searches were also undertaken at Andrew’s former residence, the Royal Lodge at Windsor Great Park; police continue to carry out searches and collect evidence there, while searches at Andrew’s current Norfolk residence have been concluded.
Andrew, who earlier stood down from all his public and military roles after his association with Epstein in 2025, has vigorously denied any wrongdoing. As there has been no charge brought at this current moment in time, and the matter is being dealt with in the U.K. by the Crown Prosecution Service, it remains to be seen when and if charges will be brought in respect of alleged misconduct.