Arrest and Property Searches
Prince Andrew was taken into custody on Thursday as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct during his time serving as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy. Authorities confirmed that a man in his sixties had been arrested and remains in custody, while searches were carried out at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk.
Although the initial police statement did not identify him by name, details surrounding the case made clear who was involved. Officers were seen outside the Sandringham estate in Norfolk earlier that morning, where Andrew has been residing since leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Police emphasized that the investigation must remain impartial and thorough, citing the intense public attention surrounding the case. Updates, they said, will be shared when appropriate.
Under UK law, suspects are typically held for between 12 and 24 hours before being charged or released while inquiries continue. In rare cases, detention can be extended up to 96 hours with judicial approval. It remains unclear exactly when Andrew was first detained. Commentators have noted that he would be treated like any other detainee, held in a standard custody suite pending questioning.
Questions Over Past Dealings
The arrest follows fresh claims reported by the Financial Times, alleging that Andrew shared sensitive documents with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein while acting in his government role. Emails reportedly suggest he was involved in discussions over a proposed $8 billion oil-for-cash transaction between foreign parties. Some of these communications allegedly took place while Epstein was under house arrest following his 2008 conviction.
Royal historian Craig Prescott of Royal Holloway, University of London, described the episode as one of the most dramatic reputational crises faced by a modern member of the royal family.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and has not been criminally charged in connection with their association.
Strained Ties Within the Monarchy
The unfolding investigation has placed renewed pressure on the royal household. King Charles III previously expressed concern over his brother’s conduct and signaled that Buckingham Palace would cooperate fully with authorities.
In October, Andrew was formally stripped of his remaining royal titles and asked to vacate Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate, marking a significant step in his removal from public royal life. He had already stepped back from official duties in 2019 following a widely criticized BBC interview addressing his relationship with Epstein.
In 2022, Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse when she was 17. The financial terms were not publicly disclosed, though media reports placed the figure in the millions of pounds. Andrew did not admit liability but expressed sympathy for Giuffre’s suffering in a joint statement at the time.
Giuffre died by suicide in April at age 41 in Western Australia. Her memoir, Nobody’s Girl, was published posthumously later that year.
As the police investigation continues, the case represents another chapter in a prolonged and deeply damaging saga for the Duke of York and the British monarchy.
