Thames Valley Police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday morning. Officers arrived at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Six unmarked vehicles entered the property at 8:00 am local time. The arrest occurred on the sixty-sixth birthday of the former royal.
Police moved him to a local station for questioning. This action follows a week-long assessment of documents. These documents involve links to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Authorities also searched addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk today.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has been arrested
Official Police Statement
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright issued a formal statement. “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” Wright said. The investigation focuses on allegations of misconduct in public office. “The man remains in police custody at this time,” the statement confirmed.
Thames Valley Police cited national guidance for not naming the individual. Multiple news organisations confirmed the identity of the man. The force seeks to protect the integrity of the investigation. Officials will provide updates at the appropriate time.
Evidence from Epstein Files
The arrest follows revelations from three million pages of documents. The United Kingdom receives files from the United States Justice Department. Correspondence from 2010 suggests Mountbatten-Windsor sent reports to Epstein. These reports detailed official trade trips to Singapore and Vietnam.
Emails show the transfer of information to the financier. Mountbatten-Windsor served as a trade envoy during this period. Epstein reportedly arranged meetings for him in China. The files include photos of Mountbatten-Windsor with unidentified women.
Trade Envoy Role Statistics
Mountbatten-Windsor held the trade envoy position from 2001 to 2011. He undertook dozens of international tours during his decade in office. Government records show he visited over sixty countries. Documents suggest he shared itineraries with Epstein before these trips.
The emails involve discussions about the Royal Bank of Scotland. One email mentions a 45 billion-pound bailout of the bank. Another message references internal conflicts at Aston Martin. Epstein received these details shortly after the prince received them.
Government and Palace Response
Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to reporters on Thursday. “Nobody is above law,” Starmer said during a broadcast. He noted the police must handle the matter independently. The government offers no further comment on the active case.
Buckingham Palace previously stripped Mountbatten-Windsor of his titles. This change occurred in October 2025. The Palace stated it no longer represents him. The monarchy supports the authorities in their inquiries.
‘Nobody is above the law’
Ptime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to #BBCBreakfast about whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should voluntarily be interviewed by the police in the UK, and testify before US Congress about his links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein… pic.twitter.com/Lso0rSMXhB
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) February 19, 2026
Previous Legal Actions
Mountbatten-Windsor paid a settlement to Virginia Giuffre in 2022. This settlement followed a lawsuit regarding sexual assault allegations. He made no admission of guilt during that process. The current investigation focuses on his official duties instead.
The United States investigation into Epstein continues to provide evidence. Over two thousand videos exist in the latest file release. The files also contain 180,000 images from two decades of work. Legal experts monitor the impact of these records on UK law.
Summary of Alleged Conduct
Police investigate the sharing of confidential government reports. These reports include details on trade and investment opportunities.
- The reports cover trips to Singapore.
- The files mention visits to Hong Kong.
- Emails discuss meetings in Shenzhen.
- Records show communication about Vietnam.
Mountbatten-Windsor denies all allegations of wrongdoing. He stepped back from public duties in 2019. This decision followed a televised interview about his links to Epstein. He now faces questions about his conduct while representing the nation.
Custody and Search Procedures
The suspect remains in a police station in Norfolk. Officers continue to search his former residence in Windsor. They also examine documents at his current Norfolk home. Legal representatives arrived at the station this afternoon.
Thames Valley Police lead the national coordination group. The group assists forces looking into the Epstein documents. The National Police Chiefs’ Council supports this collaborative effort. They aim to identify potential crimes within the data set.
Public Interest and Scrutiny
Public interest in the case remains high across the globe. Anti-monarchy groups reported the former prince to the police. They cited potential breaches of the Official Secrets Act. Campaigners demand transparency regarding the use of public funds.
The arrest marks a moment in the long-running scandal. It represents the first time police have detained him. The case moves into a phase of legal scrutiny. Observers expect further details as the investigation proceeds.
Timeline of Correspondence
The documents show emails starting in early 2010. Epstein had already served time for sex crimes in Florida. Despite this, Mountbatten-Windsor continued to communicate with him. In August 2010, they discussed meeting a Russian woman.
In September 2010, Epstein requested private time in London. Mountbatten-Windsor offered dinner at Buckingham Palace for privacy. He sent the invitation two days after the initial request. The files do not confirm if the dinner took place.
Epstein and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Impact on International Relations
The trade envoy role involves representing British business interests. Mountbatten-Windsor met with world leaders and heads of state. Epstein reportedly suggested the creation of a private office. This office would use the access of the then-prince.
One email from an aide mentions a small outpost in Beijing. The plan aimed to use the aura and access of the envoy. Epstein’s involvement in these trade discussions raises security concerns. The police assessment includes potential breaches of national security protocols.
Financial Revelations in Files
The files highlight financial links between several figures. Epstein wired thousands of pounds to associates of other politicians. Mountbatten-Windsor’s team emailed Epstein about legal defence strategies. These emails continued long after he claimed contact had ended.
In January 2015, aides asked Epstein for a heads-up on legal issues. Epstein suggested attacking the lawyers of his victims. These revelations contradict previous statements by the former prince. The discrepancies form a core part of the current police inquiry.
Operational Details of Investigation
Thames Valley Police works with the Crown Prosecution Service. The investigation requires the analysis of millions of digital records. Police forces across the United Kingdom share resources for this task. The scale of the data release is large in modern policing.
- Three million pages of documents.
- One hundred and eighty thousand images.
- Two thousand video files.
- Correspondence spanning twenty years.
Legal Process and Detention
The man in custody will face multiple rounds of questioning. The law allows for detention for a specific period. Extensions require the approval of a magistrate. The legal process follows standard criminal justice procedures.
Mountbatten-Windsor remains under investigation for misconduct. The police searches continue at multiple properties. No charges exist against him at this stage of the process. The world watches the developments in this case.
Last modified: March 1, 2026
