Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released from almost 12 hours of police questioning after he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, in relation to the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Formerly known as Prince Andrew, the disgraced figure became the first senior member of the English royal family to be arrested in modern history, when officers took him into custody on Thursday morning from his home at Sandringham estate.
Photographs were released showing Thames Valley Police teams at the Estate and the Royal Lodge to arrest Andrew. Police confirmed searches were being carried out in Berkshire and Norfolk, where the two properties are located.
Investigators were looking into the former Prince’s dealings with Epstein and allegations he may have shared sensitive government information with the convicted child sex offender during Andrew’s time as a UK trade envoy.
The allegations stem from documents released by the US justice department, relating to Epstein and his networks of rich and powerful people.
In the release, emails appear to show Andrew sharing reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore with Epstein. Another email appears to send Epstein a confidential brief on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Photographers captured images of Andrew at about 7pm local time on Thursday in a vehicle, leaving police custody to return home. Police searches at his former address, the Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, are ongoing.
The former Prince has yet to respond to the latest allegations. He has always denied wrongdoing and accusations.
Virginia Giuffre
One of Andrew’s most prominent accusers was the late sexual violence advocate, American-born Virgnia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April last year at her home in Western Australia.
Giuffre alleged she was sex trafficked by Epstein, and his convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, to Andrew on three separate occasions. Andrew has denied these accusations.
In a statement following Andrew’s arrest on Thursday, Giuffre’s family said: “On behalf of our sister, we extend our gratitude to the UK’s Thames Valley police in their investigation and arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.”
Also referencing Giuffre’s bravery, Maria Farmer, the first known survivor to report Epstein and Maxwell to law enforcement called the day of Andrew’s arrest “the beginning of accountability and justice brought forth by Virginia Roberts Giuffre — a young mother who adored her daughter so deeply, she fought the most powerful on earth to protect her.”
“She did this for everyone’s daughters. Let’s now demand all the dominos of power and corruption begin to fall.”
US vs UK response
It’s understood that Buckingham Palace was not informed ahead of Andrew’s arrest.
King Charles III released a statement following Andrew’s arrest saying “the law must take it’s course” and he hopes “what now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities”.
US president Donald Trump, who features quite heavily in the Epstein files, has also responded to Andrew’s arrest, describing it as a “very sad thing”.
“I think it’s a shame. I think it’s very sad, I think it’s so sad for the royal family. It’s very, very sad,” Trump told reporters on Thursday.
US members of Congress have also weighed in following Andrew’s arrest in the UK, calling for greater accountability in the US.
One of the most vocal on the issue, Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia, who serves on the House Oversight Committee. has repeatedly urged former Prince Andrew to testify before Congress.
“The accountability that is happening right now in the UK is an example to the rest of the world, but especially here in the United States,” Garcia told CNN.
“That level of accountability needs to be happening here within our own government.
“He right now can do the right thing, not just by cooperating with UK authorities, but by cooperating with the Oversight Committee.”