Thames Valley Police detain former British royal on suspicion of misconduct in public office; King Charles III voices support for investigation as political and legal scrutiny intensifies.
LONDON | British authorities have arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, escalating a long-simmering scandal linked to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement released Wednesday, Thames Valley Police confirmed that “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” had been arrested and that searches were underway at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk. British police typically do not identify suspects before formal charges. Mountbatten-Windsor has not been charged with a criminal offense.
Royal Response Signals Institutional Distance
In a rare and carefully worded statement, King Charles III expressed “deepest concern” and emphasized that “the law must take its course.” The monarch affirmed the royal household’s full cooperation with law enforcement authorities, underscoring a shift toward institutional detachment amid intensifying legal scrutiny.
The arrest follows years of reputational strain for the British monarchy, including the removal of Mountbatten-Windsor’s military titles and patronages. Analysts say the latest development marks the most serious legal jeopardy he has faced to date.
