Arrest and Investigation
Prince Andrew was taken into custody on Thursday over allegations of misconduct in public office linked to his previous role as the UK’s trade envoy. Police also carried out searches at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk. While authorities did not immediately name him, they confirmed that a man in his sixties remains in custody. Andrew turned 66 on the day of his arrest.
Unmarked police cars were spotted at Sandringham in Norfolk, where he has lived since leaving Windsor. Police emphasized maintaining the integrity of their investigation while acknowledging the high public interest in the case.
Alleged Links to Epstein and Controversial Deals
New reports suggest Andrew may have sent sensitive documents to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as trade envoy. The Financial Times reported that emails show Andrew agreeing to assist with an $8 billion oil-for-cash swap involving foreign entities, exchanging messages with Epstein while the financier was under house arrest for a 2008 sex offense.
Craig Prescott, a royal expert at Royal Holloway, University of London, called it one of the most dramatic falls from grace for a royal in modern times. Police analyst Danny Shaw explained that suspects are usually held 12 to 24 hours, with a maximum of 96 hours if extended with judicial approval. Andrew is being held under standard custody conditions without any special treatment.
Royal Family Reaction and Past Controversies
Thames Valley Police had previously confirmed it was reviewing allegations against Andrew, prompting King Charles III to express concern and assure that Buckingham Palace would support the investigation.
In October, Charles removed Andrew’s royal titles and ordered him to leave Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate, following years of scrutiny over his ties to Epstein. Andrew stepped back from public duties in 2019 after a widely criticized BBC interview about his friendship with Epstein.
Andrew has not been charged in connection with Epstein and denies any wrongdoing. In 2022, he settled a civil case with Virginia Giuffre, who alleged sexual abuse at age 17. While the settlement did not involve an admission of guilt, Andrew acknowledged Giuffre’s suffering as a trafficking victim. Giuffre later died by suicide in April at 41, and her memoir Nobody’s Girl was published posthumously in October.
