Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested Thursday at his home in Sandringham on his 66th birthday, as British authorities confirmed they have launched an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office tied to his past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Thames Valley Police said officers detained “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” who “has been arrested and remains in police custody.” The force confirmed it has opened an inquiry into a suspected offense of misconduct in public office after previously reviewing evidence to determine whether a full investigation was warranted.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said in a statement, “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.” He added that authorities recognize the “significant public interest in this case” and will provide updates at the appropriate time.
The arrest follows renewed global scrutiny after the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of documents related to Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal child sex charges. Epstein had previously been convicted in 2008 of soliciting sex from an underage girl.
The newly released files have thrust Mountbatten-Windsor’s past dealings back into the spotlight. Records included in the document dump show that he advocated for Epstein during a 2010 state visit to the United Arab Emirates with the Queen. The materials also contained an image depicting Mountbatten-Windsor on all-fours above a young woman, further intensifying public attention.
In addition, emails published by the Justice Department appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded sensitive United Kingdom trade visit reports to Epstein. The communications allegedly occurred while he held a senior, government-linked position and years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction.
At the time in question, Mountbatten-Windsor was serving as the UK’s special representative for trade and investment, a role he held from 2001 until July 2011. The position involved promoting British commercial interests abroad, meeting with foreign officials and business leaders, and acting as a roving ambassador for UK trade.
The mounting questions over his relationship with Epstein have already had significant consequences. Last year, he was stripped of his royal title by his brother, King Charles.
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any financial or sexual wrongdoing stemming from his connections to Epstein and his associates. It remains unclear which specific actions or communications are directly tied to the current arrest and investigation.
British authorities have not disclosed further details about the scope of the alleged misconduct or whether additional charges could follow. For now, police are emphasizing the need to maintain the integrity of the investigation amid intense public interest.
With fresh documents raising new questions and law enforcement now formally investigating, the case marks another dramatic chapter in the long-running fallout from Epstein’s crimes and the powerful figures who once moved in his orbit.