King Charles' brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested, named in Epstein Files case
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, brother of Britain's King Charles, has been arrested on suspicion of abuse of public office.
This development comes as Thames Valley Police said they are investigating a complaint alleging the former prince shared confidential information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Last year, he lost his title of "Prince." He was also forced to leave Royal Lodge, Windsor Castle.
In fact, Virginia Giuffre, a victim in the Epstein case, alleged that Prince Andrew sexually abused her in 2001 when she was 17 years old.
However, Andrew denied all of Giuffre's allegations. Giuffre died in April 2025. The cause was said to be suicide.
Plainclothes police arrived on Thursday morning to apprehend Andrew, making him the first royal in modern history to be arrested.
Misconduct while holding public office is a serious crime in England. This offense requires proving that the person knew they were wrong, yet continued to do so. The maximum penalty for this offense is life imprisonment. This case can only be tried in court under a serious criminal charge.
This case is believed to relate to Andrew's time as Britain's Trade Envoy. He was appointed to this position in 2001 but resigned 10 years later. At that time, his name was embroiled in controversy over his links with American criminal Jeffrey Epstein.
Documents released by the US Justice Department revealed that Andrew had contact with Epstein while in office.
King Charles stripped his younger brother Andrew of his title of Prince and all other royal titles in October last year. He was also ordered to vacate his palatial home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor.
Andrew, 65, is the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth. Andrew's name has long been linked to American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew was also barred from using the title "Duke of York." After being stripped of his royal titles, Prince Andrew is now known as "Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor."