Britain’s monarchy has been thrust back into crisis as former Prince Andrew now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to police.
The dramatic development comes amid renewed scrutiny of his long-running links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, whose network and associates continue to face global investigation.
In a statement released Thursday, Thames Valley Police confirmed officers arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk and are conducting searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
“The man remains in police custody at this time,” the force said, adding that the case is now active and subject to legal protections.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said investigators had opened a formal probe following a detailed assessment of the allegations.
The arrest follows the release by the United States Department of Justice of more than three million pages of files related to Epstein.
Some documents suggested that in 2010 the former royal — then serving as the UK’s trade envoy — shared reports from official trips with Epstein and even sought his views on investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing.
Britain’s monarch, King Charles III, responded cautiously, saying “the law must take its course.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed the sentiment, stressing that “no one is above the law” and urging full cooperation with US investigators.
The royal family had earlier pledged to support any police inquiry involving the embattled duke.
Relatives of Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre said the arrest brought a measure of vindication.
Giuffre — who died by suicide in 2025 aged 41 — had alleged she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew on three occasions when she was a minor. The former prince has repeatedly denied the claims.
He previously paid Giuffre a multimillion-pound settlement in 2022 without admitting liability.
Analysts say the development could further damage the image of the British royal family.
Political commentator Michael Walker described the situation as “incredibly damaging” to the monarchy’s credibility, arguing the institution has often appeared reactive rather than decisive in distancing itself from Andrew.
The scandal had already seen the duke stripped of royal titles and public roles, marking one of the steepest falls from grace in modern royal history.
Police say updates will be provided “at the appropriate time” as investigations continue. Legal experts note the case could take months — or longer — to unfold.
For Britain’s monarchy, however, the reputational fallout is already immediate, reopening painful questions about accountability, privilege and power at the highest levels of the establishment.
Stay tuned as this developing story unfolds.
