FILE PHOTO: Britain’s Prince Andrew leaves Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony of Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla, in London, Britain May 6, 2023.
Toby Melville | Reuters
U.K. police on Thursday arrested King Charles’ brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office, with the monarch expressing his “deepest concern” over the latest development.
British police were seen arriving at Andrew’s residence in Sandringham on Thursday morning, according to earlier reports from the BBC and the Daily Telegraph.
Thames Valley Police said in a statement that they had arrested a man, who they did not name, in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said in the police statement.
“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 said, adding: “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
Buckingham Palace initially declined to comment on the matter but King Charles issued a statement soon after.
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” the king said in a statement sent to CNBC by Buckingham Palace.
“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities,” he added.
The police, Charles said, had the royal family’s “full and wholehearted support and co-operation.”
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter,” he said.
Men step out of an unmarked car at the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on February 19, 2026 in Sandringham, Norfolk. Andrew Mounbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following police investigation into the recently release Epstein files. The former prince continues to deny any wrongdoing.
Peter Nicholls | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles and the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth, had come under scrutiny due to his relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He has denied any wrongdoing but the public outcry over his association with the disgraced financier has had far-reaching consequences. The former prince was stripped of his royal titles, including “His Royal Highness” and “Prince,” and is no longer a working royal.
Andrew was also forced to move out of his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge, to a smaller residence on King Charles’ Sandringham Estate. The King has cut Andrew’s annual personal allowance and security funding, but is covering the cost of his new accommodation.
David Lammy, deputy U.K. prime minister and foreign secretary, told CNBC on Thursday that the arrest showed “no one is above the law.”
“This is now a police investigation and that must run its course,” he told CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal at the AI Impact Summit in India.
Police have not disclosed any details or specifics as to the allegations being investigated or what prompted the arrest.
British police can hold suspects for 24 hours without charge, but this can be extended to 36 or 96 hours with special authorization.
— CNBC’s Kai Nicol-Schwarz and Arjun Kharpal contributed to this report.
