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Former Prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office: reports

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By Lauren Frayer , Leila Fadel Britain's Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, looks round as he leaves after attending the Easter Matins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, England, April 20, 2025.
− Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP hide caption U.K.
+ Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP hide caption LONDON — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the British former prince, was released Thursday after spending the day in police custody in an investigation into whether he sent sensitive government information to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Thames Valley Police arrested Mountbatten-Windsor on "suspicion of misconduct in public office" and searched his addresses in the counties of Berkshire and Norfolk, England.
− police arrested the former Prince Andrew on Thursday, on suspicion of "misconduct in public office." In a statement, King Charles III, the brother of the former prince, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, spoke of his "deepest concern" at learning of the news, and called for a "full, fair and proper process." "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," Charles said in the statement, pledging his support and cooperation with the investigation.
+ Late Thursday, the police said they concluded the searches and released the suspect but he was still under investigation.
− On Thursday morning, police said that they arrested a man in his 60s and that he was in custody, while officers were carrying out searches at his addresses in the counties of Berkshire and Norfolk.
+ The police identified him only as a man in his 60s from Norfolk, England. His brother King Charles III confirmed it was the former prince in a public statement pledging his support and cooperation with the investigation.
− News photographs showed cars arriving at the royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, on the morning of Mountbatten-Windsor's 66th birthday.
+ "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," Charles said in the statement.
− National How Epstein and Maxwell used an elite Midwest arts school to prey on girls Last week, Thames Valley Police, which serves areas west of London, said they were examining claims that the former Prince Andrew sent confidential trade reports to disgraced business mogul Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the U.K.'s envoy for international trade.
+ News photographs showed cars arriving at the royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk early Thursday, the morning of Mountbatten-Windsor's 66th birthday.
− Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal title over his friendship with the late sex offender.
+ Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is seen in the back seat of a vehicle, returning after leaving police custody, following his arrest on Thursday, in Sandringham, Norfolk, England.
− He admits ties to Epstein and settled a lawsuit with one of Epstein's underage victims, but has previously strenuously denied any wrongdoing on any matters related to Epstein.
+ Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following police investigation into the recently release Epstein files. Peter Nicholls/Getty Images hide caption Later, photos showed a distressed-looking former prince hunched in the back seat of a car, being driven away from the police station in eastern England.
− A statement released by Thames Valley police read: "As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
+ Thames Valley Police, which serves areas west of London, said last week it was examining allegations that the then-prince sent confidential trade reports to Epstein during Andrew's time as the U.K.'s international trade envoy. National How Epstein and Maxwell used an elite Midwest arts school to prey on girls King Charles stripped his brother of his royal title and evicted him from his residence last year over his friendship with the late sex offender. The former prince has admitted having ties to the disgraced business mogul and settled a lawsuit with one of Epstein's underage victims, but he has previously strenuously denied any wrongdoing on any matters related to Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor did not respond to a request for comment after his arrest. Europe Epstein files fallout takes down elite figures in Europe, while U.S.
− The man remains in police custody at this time." Europe Epstein files fallout takes down elite figures in Europe, while U.S.
+ reckoning is muted In a police statement Thursday, Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: "Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
− reckoning is muted Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: "Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.
− We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time." This is a developing story, which could be updated. Sponsor Message Become an NPR sponsor
+ We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time." Sponsor Message Become an NPR sponsor