Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Detained Over Epstein Files Revelations

According to Rokna, citing CNN, authorities arrived at Mountbatten-Windsor’s residence at Sandringham, the royal estate in Norfolk, early Thursday morning. They also conducted searches at other properties in Norfolk and Berkshire, where the former prince resided until leaving his Windsor home earlier this month.

Earlier, police had indicated that they were examining allegations that a woman had been trafficked to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein for a sexual encounter with Mountbatten-Windsor. Additional claims suggested that he shared sensitive information with the convicted sex offender during his tenure as the UK’s trade envoy.

Mountbatten-Windsor has denied all allegations, asserting that he never witnessed or suspected any of Epstein’s misconduct. He has not publicly responded to the recent claims of public office misconduct.

Thames Valley Police confirmed Thursday that Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Guidance from the prosecution service states that a “direct link between the misconduct and abuse of powers or responsibilities” must exist. In this legal context, “wilful” misconduct or negligence refers to “deliberately doing something wrong while knowing it is wrong, or acting with reckless disregard as to whether it is wrong or not.”

The offense carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and can only be prosecuted via indictment. The allegations appear to pertain to Mountbatten-Windsor’s period as the UK trade envoy.

Norfolk Constabulary confirmed to CNN that it is assisting Thames Valley Police with the investigation. The Sandringham estate, where the arrest took place, falls under Norfolk Constabulary’s jurisdiction.

At least seven British police forces, including the Metropolitan Police, Thames Valley Police, Norfolk Constabulary, Essex Police, Bedfordshire Police, West Midlands Police, and Wiltshire Police, have either been investigating or providing support following disclosures from the Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice.

In October, King Charles III removed Mountbatten-Windsor’s royal title as prince, following earlier revelations from the US Department of Justice’s release of Epstein documents.

At 10:03 a.m. local time (5:03 a.m. ET), Thames Valley Police issued a statement confirming the arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and noting ongoing searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The individual remains in police custody.

The statement emphasized that the arrested person’s name would not be released, in line with national guidelines, and warned that careful reporting is required to avoid contempt of court.

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a detailed assessment, we have launched an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.”

UK media reports confirmed that police attended Mountbatten-Windsor’s home in Sandringham, north of London.